Handling

[Jaime]

I know my little guy needs some time to get used to me and being handled, its very friendly and curious...problem is when I handle him I handle him inside of his tank because occasionally he gets nervous or just decides he isnt interested and kind leaps out and runs...Id love to take him out of the tank let him sit on my lap or play on the floor but im worried hes going take off...too soon to attempt this? (ive only had it for a day and half, its still young). If it is too soon for this when would be a good time to try this?

 

[Brett]

I take my babies outside the cage all the time. they do take off but normaly they stop after a short distance and i grab them again. It will take some time age before they tame down

 

[Jaime]

Oh no....now hes scared of me! yesterday and earlier today he was much calmer about being handled, I just went to play with him and he hardly lets me catch him now and seems scared out of his mind! I caught him gently and patted him and set him down gently, he let me pat him again when I set him down but he was breathing really heavy..why is he getting scared of me now?

 

[Jaime]

Ok so I just read a couple of articles that said I should let him be for the first 2 weeks and only pat pick up rarely so it can settle into its new home without added stress? have I been handling it too much and made it afraid? is there still time to handle it rarely for the next 2 weeks and gain its trust back? or am I doing fine with handling it? its def afraid of me right now

 

[Brett]

Settle down that's what they do it takes time and age to develop trust, its not something your can rush as far as waiting 2 weeks would hurt but i dint i handle mine all the time. They puff up open there mouth like there going to bite, That's a baby dragon for ya. Imagine something 1000 time larger then you coming to pick you up and pet ya on the head, I think you would try to get away to until you knew he want there to harm ya.

 

[Jaime]

Lol good point Brett...just freaking out cuz im so new and def want me and the little guy to have a good relationship ...so I should just keep handling it and ignore its behavior?

 

[Brett]

Ya hes going to freak out at times. Don't over do it and handle for 8hrs a day and stress him out take him out a cpl times a day for short periods of time and gradually lengthen the time you handle them. I think its more of a age thing that anything the older they get the calmer they get with regular handling.