Holding my beardie

[MybeardieMushu]

Hey!
I was wondering how I get my juvenile bearded dragon to let me hold him, I have had him for a month and a half and I hand feed him as much as possible. He’s has only let me hold him a few times but most of the time when I try to pick him up he just runs away. He never bites are hisses but just runs, Does anyone have any advice on how to get him to let me hold him?

 

[Sadie]

Hey!
I was wondering how I get my juvenile bearded dragon to let me hold him, I have had him for a month and a half and I hand feed him as much as possible. He’s has only let me hold him a few times but most of the time when I try to pick him up he just runs away. He never bites are hisses but just runs, Does anyone have any advice on how to get him to let me hold him?

Patience and keep working w/ him it may take awhile- put a piece of clothing or fleece blanket w/ your smell on it in his hide- it will get him used to you-- hand feeding is good your getting used to you and teaching him your hand is good--

 

[MybeardieMushu]

Patience and keep working w/ him it may take awhile- put a piece of clothing or fleece blanket w/ your smell on it in his hide- it will get him used to you-- hand feeding is good your getting used to you and teaching him your hand is good--

Thank you! I will put a piece of clothing in his terrarium and keep working wth him

 

[HoomanSlave]

One tactic I use with skittish animals is to lay my hands down in the enclosure with treats on them. Eventually, the animal will come up and eat from the hand and even start sitting on them. Another way to do it is to place a play tunnel or a hide with a floor in the enclosure, wait until the animal enters, and then lift up the tunnel (durable paper bags work too). Set the bag down gently and as soon as possible.
Keep your handling sessions short and slowly work your way up to longer sessions. Don't grab your beardie from the top if you can help it-if you must, reach in slowly right next to them and coax them towards your hands, making sure they can see you at all times and avoid making sudden movements. Angle your body so that you are almost reaching in from the side (hard to explain), and grab them gently.
These tactics work with small animals of most types, and may have to be adapted to the animal in question. I've used them for guinea pigs, chipmunks, ball pythons, and rabbits without issues.

 

[MybeardieMushu]

One tactic I use with skittish animals is to lay my hands down in the enclosure with treats on them. Eventually, the animal will come up and eat from the hand and even start sitting on them. Another way to do it is to place a play tunnel or a hide with a floor in the enclosure, wait until the animal enters, and then lift up the tunnel (durable paper bags work too). Set the bag down gently and as soon as possible.
Keep your handling sessions short and slowly work your way up to longer sessions. Don't grab your beardie from the top if you can help it-if you must, reach in slowly right next to them and coax them towards your hands, making sure they can see you at all times and avoid making sudden movements. Angle your body so that you are almost reaching in from the side (hard to explain), and grab them gently.
These tactics work with small animals of most types, and may have to be adapted to the animal in question. I've used them for guinea pigs, chipmunks, ball pythons, and rabbits without issues.

Thank you for the advice I will try that. Thanks!!