Recently bought a male approximately 6 month old bearded dragon for my nine year old daughter whom just loves reptiles! However every time get him out of the vivarium since we brought home from the pet shop he displays aggression- stands high on front legs and beard darkens considerably. My daughter is now a little scared to get him out which is an awful shame as she has looked forward to having a bearded dragon as a pet much. Any tips to calm him down when handling or are just some b. Dragons simply more naturally aggressive than others ?????
-
Hello guest! Are you a Bearded Dragon enthusiast? If so we invite you to join our community and see what it has to offer. Our site is specifically designed for you and it's a great place for Beardie enthusiasts to meet online. Once you join you'll be able to post messages, upload pictures of your dragons and enclosures and have a great time with other Bearded Dragon enthusiasts. Sign up today!
New owner and need advice!
- Thread starter Ruthy
- Start date
- Messages
- 457
How long have you had him? maybe hasnt been handled much may just take patience
- Messages
- 1,669
Or maybe he was handled roughly. Baby steps. Hand into viv. When ok move to hand on bd. when ok pick him up in cage put him right down. When ok pick up for 5 seconds. And so forth. Treats can help but not every time cuz he might get upset if you dont give treat. Its an adventure - have fun!
Luvthemanimal
Bearded Dragon Veteran
- Messages
- 832
- Location
- London Ontario Canada
Give it time. I would suggest getting it used to scent of you guys put your hand in close and let it lick you. Don't have your daughter do it very very slight chance it will try to nip you. Let it get used to you than you get it out and place it on your daughter. They are a lot different once out of there enclosure.
Mine used to do same thing I just kept getting closer and closer each day until u slide my hand under his belly and picked him up and he was like hey this is Kool.
Being a pet store animal and that age they basically never get handled until bought. Especially if it was a chain pet store like pet smart etc...
Time is on your side and it will get better.
Also make sure you wash hands with non scented soap before going in to touch him.
If I have any scent on me mine puffs up and opens mouth....
Cheers
Mine used to do same thing I just kept getting closer and closer each day until u slide my hand under his belly and picked him up and he was like hey this is Kool.
Being a pet store animal and that age they basically never get handled until bought. Especially if it was a chain pet store like pet smart etc...
Time is on your side and it will get better.
Also make sure you wash hands with non scented soap before going in to touch him.
If I have any scent on me mine puffs up and opens mouth....
Cheers
- Messages
- 1,341
Ive only had my beardie 3 weeks and I have 2 young kids 5 and 2 my BD is called Diego he is also 6 months old when we first brought him home he was quite nervous and quite dark it does take them a few days to settle in. I personally had my kids rnd him a lot wen we brought him home coz we wanted him 2 b used to the kids aswel as us. Take turns putting ur hands in and let him have a lick stroke him for a few mins b4 u try pik him up and make sure wen u pik him up u suport his belly and legs dnt let him feel unsafe while u have hold. If u have a small room in you home where its warm and u can shut all doors and ur beardie cnt get under anything or out anywhere or cum 2 any type of harm take him in there with urself and ur daughter sit down and put him on the floor so he can have a good run and look around and after a while he shud relise ur not gunna hurt him and he is safe. I wudnt pay 2 much attention to the beard Diego is quite dark bearded anyway they tend to hiss and warn u with an really open mouth b4 they bite. Little and often try make it a part of ur day to get him out and stroke him and the more hes handled the more he will like it. It doesnt take long just have to remember that ur so much bigger than him he is bound to feel a bit scared but keep at it and he will b fine. But I wud have ur daugher with u when u feed him n get him out ao he is used to her aswel. We only had Diego 3 weeks n already now if we put him down on the floor he happily climbs up to ur shoulder for you to walk rnd with him or he snuggles in n goes sleep. All we done was we got him out at least 3 times a day always had the kids in the room with us so he also is now use to them. U dnt no if ur beardie bin hurt or mistreated where eva he has bin also he is in a new home new noises new ppl give him chance and keep at it dnt give up coz once hes out and use to yas he will love it. Mine clings onto u now for dear life when we try put him bak in his viv and its only bin 3 weeks so dnt give up 
I have a 3 month old and he does not like to be held either. What seems to be working for me at the moment is he gets tired about an hour or so before bedtime so I gently pick him up and soothingly talk to him and rub his head. I hold him for 5 minutes and then put him back down in his sleepy spot. We've also started to bond during bath time. I leave my hand in the tub so he can hold on if he gets scared and he usually crawls up my arm.
