Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I've had my little water dragon for about a week now. He's not shy at all, which is really nice. I've been handling him every day in the hopes to keep him friendly and tame. The problem is, he likes to take off running. There are too many places for him to hide in my appartment, so it worries me.

Is there some way I can hold him that he won't feel the need to run? Or some way to safely restrain him? I've seen other lizards with harnesses, but I think he's probably too little for that yet. Is it possible that he's trying to find a warmer place?

I'd like to be able to handle him more freely, but his safety is much more important, obviously!

Have you only been holding him/her inside the viv?? maybe when you take him out he gets scared cause its such a big place and he/shes small. I can handle mine inside there cage as much as i want but if i try and take them out they freak out and hide(usually under my bed). How big is your WD??

I handle him outside of his cage as well. He has escaped from me and nearly gotten outside once (since our front door is crappy and has a gap under it... damn landlord) It's also rather cold in our appartment, and I'm afraid of letting him get too cold.

He's about 2 and a half inches, nose to vent. Little baby guy.

Dragon-proof a room (I used the bathroom). Steam it up and then sit in there with your little guy. When ever he runs away bring him back close to you, but then let him go again. keep repeating. When he realizes that he CAN move around, just not so far away, he will eventually calm down and learn to remain closer to you. Once you've "trained" him to remain close, you can try him in larger spaces. Don't let the smaller ones stay too long in cooler temps and be vigilant-getting under furniture and into the cloth folds of furniture is easy for them and stressful for you. Diane
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dianedfisher@yahoo.com

My 3 CWD-Avanyu, Tripod and Drago

That idea worked great! He was one happy little dragon. He's actually very very tame when he's warm enough. He didn't try to get away once. I think the reason he tried to run before was he was too cold. I think I'll do it again tonight.

I'm glad it worked for you. A lot of people on the various forums let their dragons free range at night while they're home. They sit on their shoulders while they watch TV and post on the forums. Mine pretty much stay in their cages-my choice not theirs. LOL You can put a small dome lamp and basking spot in an area that they can go to for warmth, once your little guy is more tame. You can then let him roam longer. Diane
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dianedfisher@yahoo.com

My 3 CWD-Avanyu, Tripod and Drago

Right now I have a cat that would probably hurt him if he got a chance. I'm planning on giving that cat away though, so maybe I can try that later. Or maybe I can lock the cat up while the dragon is out... He really loves the bathroom though, since I let him play in the tub. So I'll keep doing that untill it's safe for him to be other places.