Only having monitors for 3 years, I am not claiming to be the most knowledgeable person. I learned quickly that monitors are very smart and that you need to earn their trust THEIR way, not your way. Mine are so tame they act like dogs. They come right to me, never run away and hide and love to have their heads scratched. A few weeks ago I was scratching my big guys head, and my girl came over and shoved her head under my hand so she could get attention too. I never forced them to do anything, and I never manhandled them. They decided they could trust me and they do. I have taken my boy along with me to some reptile presentations I do at schools and he sits on my shoulder and watches the activities. The first presentation I did, he didn't want to sit in my arm, so crawled on my shoulder. He just calmly sat for over 1/2 hour, so now if that's what he wants to do, he can do it. Again, I never taught him to do this, he just did it on his own. My suggestion is patience on your part and let your monitor decide. Forcing him to do what you want will not accomplish your goals, it could only backfire on you in the future. Best of luck.

Pam
-----
1.1 varanus acanthurus brachyurus (Dorado & Dora)
1.1 u. macfadyeni (Amani & Abeba)
1.2 u. ornata (Husani, Zari, & Bintu)
1.1 u. ocellata (Zuhri & Ashai)
0.0.1 u. aegypticus (Halima)
1.1 hyla chrysoscelis (Pudge & Squirt)
Herps Are Awesome!

[ Show Entire Thread ]