HELP!!! Hissing dragon

[willwak90]

Hi there a few of you will know I have recently bought my first bearded dragon. I have had my dragon for about a week now and I have handled the dragon for just a couple of minutes every night. Today I have got him out and placed him on my forearm as I have done every other time however this time he started to hiss. I panicked and put him straight back in his viv. HELP!!! Please

 

[Canicke]

hissing doesnt hurt. my boy has hissed at me a couple of times - i looked him straight in his beady little eyes and told him that was nonsense and to get over it. then i picked him up and loved on him. some beardies take more time than others - your guy may take another week or so to get acclimated. try wearing a scarf for a day or so - get your scent on it - then place this in his viv. dont let him intimidate you - you got this !!

 

[PatsyB]

I know it's scary but don't back down. When he hisses try not to acknowledge him and he will stop doing it. I know it's easier said than done, i'm dealing with a very crabby chameleon that keeps trying to bite me

 

[Canicke]

good thought, Patsy - totally missed that!

 

[Kiley Reagan]

Dont worry too much about it. The hissing wont hurt your baby as it is just a concentrated amount of air being pushed out of his lungs. Don't give up on him! As he is a baby he might not have been handled all that much in the past. Let him get acclimated and see that youre not a threat!

 

[Tammy edwards]

If your worried about handling him due to his hissing try this I've had to do it with one of my baby's has wen we bought him we were lied to we was told he was 8 weeks old and he was only 1 week old try placing your hand in the tank for around 5 mins a day for the first few day slowly putting your hand closer and closer towards him them try stroking him whilst in the tank wen he gets used to being touching in his tank pick him up off the floor of the tank but keep your hand in the tank so if he is to jump or gets flighty he won't hurt him self and then just gradually again pick him up closer to the tank glass and before you know it he will be sat on the sofa having cuddles with you it is a long process but it's worth it