Trouble holding my new Beardie

[oxfordjrr]

Hi guys this is my first post as I just adopted my 2 year old girl a few days ago. She is very calm and fairly trusting, however I don't know if I'm picking her up properly? When I go up to her cage, she always watches me intently and even when I walk past her eyes follow me so I dont know if she's weary of me or if she's hoping for attention/food?

Also, when picking her up I always go for her side and scoop her under her belly before attaching her to my chest. I tend to do this quickly because as soon as her legs are off the ground or any surface she scrambles and flails them about. She's fairly small so I try to pick her up with one hand and use the other to unattach her claws from whatever she grabs as they are so sharp and pointy! I try to support her tum and tail but I dont understand why she hates not holding onto something as I've seen other people just pick up their dragons from the waist and they're fine?

One last thing, her nails are so sharp and they dig into my clothes making her very awkward to unstick from me when it's time for her to go back in her viv, can I get them trimmed? They have a vein going all the way to the end so I am reluctant?

Sorry for the rambling post and thanks in advance!

 

[Canicke]

If you just got her a few days ago she is still settling in. It can sometimes take a couple of weeks. It sounds as if you are picking her up correctly. Try slowing down. She may be clingy because of past bad experiences. She needs to learn that you are okay and trustworthy. My male has a death grip. You can also try picking her up when she's starting to fall asleep – More relaxed at that time. Regarding the nails – they can be clipped I would recommend that you have a Vette do that. My female grows some serious claws. I use a nail file – I put it under the nail and gently pull out. This can be a time-consuming process. She really didn't like it the first few times I did it. One nail at a time and only a few strokes.

 

[oxfordjrr]

If you just got her a few days ago she is still settling in. It can sometimes take a couple of weeks. It sounds as if you are picking her up correctly. Try slowing down. She may be clingy because of past bad experiences. She needs to learn that you are okay and trustworthy. My male has a death grip. You can also try picking her up when she's starting to fall asleep – More relaxed at that time. Regarding the nails – they can be clipped I would recommend that you have a Vette do that. My female grows some serious claws. I use a nail file – I put it under the nail and gently pull out. This can be a time-consuming process. She really didn't like it the first few times I did it. One nail at a time and only a few strokes.

I never thought that it could be because she was dropped before which is possible as she lived in a house with young children. I will definitely think about the nails, but once she's more trusting of me thanks for ur help

 

[Elemental Dragon Lord]

You have to support the back legs when picking up or putting down a dragon

 

[diegothediggy]

Make sure wen I lift ur beardie u have hold of both hands belly back legs and Base of taiL If ur beardie dnt feel safe wen u pick them up they will swipe the tail and the arms and legs will go ten to a dozen. Making ur beardie feel safe when u have hold of them if very important

 

[PatsyB]

I have one that flails around when I pick him up. No matter how much I support him he still freaks out. Once he realizes he is safe though, he is fine.

I thought I was the only one that has tried to nail file on my beardies nails LOL! Dexter hates it, she looks at me like I'm crazy. Since I've put them on ceramic tile though, nails haven't been an issue.

 

[oxfordjrr]

I have one that flails around when I pick him up. No matter how much I support him he still freaks out. Once he realizes he is safe though, he is fine.

I thought I was the only one that has tried to nail file on my beardies nails LOL! Dexter hates it, she looks at me like I'm crazy. Since I've put them on ceramic tile though, nails haven't been an issue.

Hehe that's funny! Since I've started scooping under her bottom she's fine now and doesn't dig in with the claws which saves me the awful job of giving her manicures

 

[PsycoMenace]

Good to hear she isnt scratching you, Im sure that is painful at times. I would shave them down if you have the chance hehee they can be some long pins hahaha.

 

[oxfordjrr]

Good to hear she isnt scratching you, Im sure that is painful at times. I would shave them down if you have the chance hehee they can be some long pins hahaha.

She does tend to use them when it suits her! And my coworkers have pointed out all the tiny cuts on my hands lol she doesn't resist In the slightest now I support under her tail which is nice that she trusts me. I blame countless YouTube videos seeing owners pick up tame beardies round the waist

 

[Zeus_the_nogard]

I slide my hand under Zeus' chin until his front legs are on my hand and then lift up and he climbs the rest of the way into my hand