How do I get him used to me?

[PirateLife4Me'13]

Hi Everybody,

I just got a bearded dragon last Friday and I can't seem to get him used to me. I know it will take a while for the bond because I used to have a Beardie in high school. Although I can't remember how we bonded, which to be honest I don't think we did completely because I didn't really have the time or patience for her at the time. Now yes I'm still in school but I'm in college which is so much different, I have more time, I'm more patient (especially coming from the fact I have a chinchilla as well and they are very delicate animals you must put time and effort into) and so I want a little buddy to sit with me while I do homework, watch tv, etc because as I mentioned my chinchilla, she has the personality that she doesn't like to be held, we have bonded very well, I just can't hold her. So back to my question, I have tried to scoop up under him instead of coming from above because I know that scares them but yet still he takes off trying his hardest to get out of the cage. So I will stop after a few seconds because I don't want him to hurt his self and being so panicked inside. Yet when I very first got him he let me pick him up and I tried to put him in the terrarium one time, but he didn't want to get off my finger, I had to try and take him off my finger using my other hand and sit him down. Now he runs in panic. Although once I pick him up he does decent sometimes on my hand but boy if I set him on my shirt for instance he takes off! Twice now he has ran down my back and I about panic because I'm worried he will jump and I will lose him in my room because he is so tiny. So what are some ways I can try to get him used to me?

 

[Canicke]

Hi there. How old is he? It can sometimes take these little guys a couple of weeks to get adjusted to their new home. My favorite suggestion is to wear a scarf for a day - no perfume or after shave - you want to get your smell on it. Put that in his viv where he tends to spend a lot of time. And - try taking him out in the evening about the time he may be going to sleep. When he's nice and relaxed. Take it slow - baby steps!

 

[Hdrydr31]

How are things with your little one? It just takes time and I've also found that my female was easier to get to the point of her relaxing on me, my male ...well he's a wild child and I can only get good time close to bedtime, other than that he wants to explore.

 

[Twinkie13]

Canicke has some good suggestions....I've kept reptiles most my life, but this is my first BD...and I love it. "Dogs with Scales" is how someone put it to me, and it couldn't be more true.
I'm no expert obv, but tell us more.
How did you acquire, the age, the setup, the food.

My guy came at an earlier age than many would suggest shipping, but he came like yours.....I was amazed how docile(again, I go back into the 90s with reptiles and wild caught lol)....

I gave him a basic set up, but like you, I played/held him upon arrival...
He ate that afternoon, but I didn't try and handle him until the next day or so.

Personally, I think more immediate handling is better than the "let him get acclimated for a few weeks" deal......BUT, also depends on the circumstance.
I found that handling the BD right before sleep or after in the beginning worked well...use the scarf/shirt method there....
As far as handling during the other hours...what I did was start trying to tweezer/hand feed right away..it shows them that you are there to help.
I can't stress ending how much I think this helped me....they may not do it at first, but I got a long pair and a short pair. I used the short 1st, then the long( crazy I know....more learning by default lol and grabbing the crickets easier with the long, but I digress)...this was integral in getting the trust I THINK...but being my guy is a Juvie, I still let many crix loose in the cage for excercise and semi-independence...for his character and health.
But again....I really attribute this to the BD "liking me" early on and trusting me....and it can happen FAST. It did for me.
****, he would rather take them from me than chase them lol....I've even seen him NOT take a small one from my hand because he doesn't want to bite me, only to take a bigger from the SAME hand . NO TWEEZERS lol..
Man, for a rookie I typed a diatribe.
But I just have really taken off and got the "bug" as they say......
They are neat and really great reptiles, hell, great pets and friends!!!