Trust

[Daz.t]

How can I get my dragon to trust me he gets a bit stressed every time we go near him he is not aggressive just backs away

 

[Pat B]

That is such a good question....been thinking about asking that myself. This is what I do. When I go to pick him up I always show him my hand and give him a few 'love' strokes on his head then pick him up. During the day I will slide the top open and just stroke his head while he closes his eyes. I don't take him out much but I brought him into the family room yesterday for the first time and put him on the floor. He stayed in one spot for about 15 minutes looking around then tried to run.... but I caught him and put him back in the viv. I don't know if beardies will ever 'trust' their owner. They are a wild creature and 'we' have brought them into a controlled environment. Any other thoughts out there??

 

[blackclaw83]

How can I get my dragon to trust me he gets a bit stressed every time we go near him he is not aggressive just backs away

Great question . And Pat that was a great response. I think with constant care and interaction they will get to know you. And in time begin to see you as provider. You will be trusted. But it will take time. That is all. Spazz still backs away from me but when he sees the crixs container he goes nuts. so ....i believe it will just take time

 

[Aleena]

Don't ever pick your BD up from up above. Make sure it sees your hand and you scoop it up from underneath, fully supporting it. They think you're a predator if you come from the top.

 

[Pat B]

Yep....Aleena is so right. I wave my hand in front of Spike and give him a few love strokes. Then I gently pick him up and he is good to go.....very rarely will he squirm.

 

[Demonatrix]

hmm I just rescued a BD last week and I don't know if he knew that I saved him or what but he is attached to me already. When I open his viv he climbs into my hand and then crawls up my shoulder and buries his head into my neck and falls asleep, even when giving him a bath he has to be holding my hand or at least have his hand on my hand. I could be reading his actions wrong but I like to think that he knows I saved his life and loves me for it

 

[BeardieBaby]

@Demonatrix, that is absolutely precious how attached your dragon is to you!!! I love hearing happy stories about people rescuing beardies and turning out with great results! You never really know what personality of a beardie you are going to get when you rescue one because as I am sure you already know you could be rescuing them from an abusive home which could make them hostile. That is so cute that he holds your hand when you're giving him a bath!! That gives me goosebumps its such an adorable story!!! My beardie also climbs up on my neck at night and snuggles and falls asleep. It's precious! And I am sure he is so much happier with you so congratulations for saving a beardie and being a great parent!!!!!

 

[Charley]

I have one nervous dragon, Jareth and I got him at Christmas there. I try to approach slowly and move my hand slowly towards his face (so that he can see where I am going), then I stroke his head a few times, then down his back. He's recently started eating a few things from my hand which feels like a huge achievement. All beardies are different and just take time and patience. If I move too quickly Jareth backs away and then bobs at me as if to say "I'm not scared of you, I just felt like moving this way!" but I find that dried mealworms bring him back ;-)

Siph, my adult female does not flinch at anything at all. She rides around on the hoover if I let her she also seems to quite like bird watching (from the safety of the kitchen anyway :-D) and doesn't seem to mind at all when I whoosh by to scoop her up for snuggles :-D

 

[jessica domke]

this is indeed a very good question! i actually just came across an old friend the other day who happens 2 have a yr & a half old beardie. he says the dragon wuz givin 2 him & it won't let him pick it up. that it puffs up, opens it's mouth & attempts 2 bite him if he tries 2 pick it up. he also said even when he puts the food dish in the enclosure it nips the food dish like it's a threat. i've never heard of such a scared beardie like this!!! so i really didn't kno wut 2 tell him 2 help him out. he stated the person he got him from rarely held him & didn't really do much w/him but let him sit in his enclosure all the time. he said he's tried hand feeding, but i guess the dragon bit his finger & made him nervous 2 try handling him ne farther. does ne1 have ne good advice 2 get the dragon more use 2 him! he rescued him thinking he wuz doing the right thing & wuz excited, but now he's not so sure. let me kno if ne1 has ne advice i can give him 2 get the poor dragon use 2 interacting w/ppl.

 

[Pat B]

WOW!! Poor beardie and poor friend....If it were me, I would make sure all the husbandry is good, temp, substrate, basking spot etc etc etc. Then I would just be patient. Talk to him everyday and make sure he has the proper food. Hopefully the beardie will realize that his new owner is a good person and wants to take good care of his beardie. Tough one....

 

[blackclaw83]

this is indeed a very good question! i actually just came across an old friend the other day who happens 2 have a yr & a half old beardie. he says the dragon wuz givin 2 him & it won't let him pick it up. that it puffs up, opens it's mouth & attempts 2 bite him if he tries 2 pick it up. he also said even when he puts the food dish in the enclosure it nips the food dish like it's a threat. i've never heard of such a scared beardie like this!!! so i really didn't kno wut 2 tell him 2 help him out. he stated the person he got him from rarely held him & didn't really do much w/him but let him sit in his enclosure all the time. he said he's tried hand feeding, but i guess the dragon bit his finger & made him nervous 2 try handling him ne farther. does ne1 have ne good advice 2 get the dragon more use 2 him! he rescued him thinking he wuz doing the right thing & wuz excited, but now he's not so sure. let me kno if ne1 has ne advice i can give him 2 get the poor dragon use 2 interacting w/ppl.

If i were you i would try and get ahold of Germ on this one and see if he could give you advice. He would be the best source of information on this one I believe. I can not say anything do to the lack of experiance I have. I feel sorry for the BD and your friend. But I am angered at the poor treatment and husbandry from the previous owner

 

[Aleena]

this is indeed a very good question! i actually just came across an old friend the other day who happens 2 have a yr & a half old beardie. he says the dragon wuz givin 2 him & it won't let him pick it up. that it puffs up, opens it's mouth & attempts 2 bite him if he tries 2 pick it up. he also said even when he puts the food dish in the enclosure it nips the food dish like it's a threat. i've never heard of such a scared beardie like this!!! so i really didn't kno wut 2 tell him 2 help him out. he stated the person he got him from rarely held him & didn't really do much w/him but let him sit in his enclosure all the time. he said he's tried hand feeding, but i guess the dragon bit his finger & made him nervous 2 try handling him ne farther. does ne1 have ne good advice 2 get the dragon more use 2 him! he rescued him thinking he wuz doing the right thing & wuz excited, but now he's not so sure. let me kno if ne1 has ne advice i can give him 2 get the poor dragon use 2 interacting w/ppl.

I've heard it helps to put a piece of clothing that has the persons scent on it from wearing it for the day in the tank with the BD, they'll become accustomed to the scent. Also, Pat is right, have your friend talk to it an awful lot, especially when feeding, and attempt to hand feed every time before giving the food dish. You can get a long leaf of whatever they're feeding to the bd to avoid any accidental nicks.

 

[Germ]

I can't add anything to the good advice already given. Time generally heals all. Some BDs are just aggressive, but if it has had very little interaction, time will tell the tale. It is not something that anyone can expect to happen overnight, it could take months.

 

[blackclaw83]

dang....i was hopeing you knew a trick to it Germ....That kina treatment of any critter gets to me.....if your going to raise something do it right.