Reptile & Amphibian Forums

HI, I JUST GOT A NEW RED TEGU, ABOUT 13 INCHES LONG, AND REALY LIKE TO GET SOME TRAINIGN TIPS. I HEARD THAT A TEGU CAN BE POTTY TRAINED AND DICIPLINE ENOUGH TO NOT TARE UP THE HOUSE. COULD ANYONE TELL ME IF THIS IS POSSIBLE, AND IF SO HOW I CAN DO THIS? OH, A LITLE INFO IT IS TAKING ME A LONG TIME TO CALM HIM DOWN.
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13" is still a baby big time and typically are more skittish than adults. You want to make sure you do not stress the little one out right away. He needs to acclimate to his new surroundings and to you. Start of first by letting him be in the new cage for a bit without harassing him. Then slowly progress to just sitting/laying next to his cage so he can see you and get use to you. This may take a week or so. Next you can start petting him, or attempting too. One thing that has work to first have your hand palm-side up and reach for him at an equal level. Babies in particular can get spastic if reached for from above in thinking it is a predator trying to eat them.
My main concern is that he is eating on a regualr basis first.
You can slowly porgress from here and let him roam about. Do not try to suppress him in your lap at first, this will come with time and as he gets older.

I know all too well that patience is need with tegus and it is hard to control! :0)

Potty Training? Some one on here (I can't remember if it is Rollin or someone else) was having success by using the tub with water (they typically will poop in it), then moved to the tub without water, then moved to newspaper in the bathroom.
I have been slowly working with ours as well using newpapers, yet they still prefer the carpeting. LOL Not a good thing! LOL

Good luck!!!

Greg

I started taking mine to the tub with water as soon as they got used to me and I could handle them. Now they both go potty in the tub without water. They still go on the carpet a couple times a week between the 2 of them, they never go in their cage. Mine run around my apartment every day and they don't tear the place up. If they can't get back in their cage they might but mine can go home when they want.

I'm new to tegus as well. I have a subadult red named Fluffy. In another I post on this page I was explaining how he's escaped. I'm absolutely amazed how calm and curious he is. He'll come right up to you, climb under you if you're on all fours but gets huffy and hisses if you try to touch even the end of his tail.

So I'll let him be for a while. Bad thing is, I think he pooped in there somewhere but I can't find it! PPPPPPPEEEEEEEE YYYYYYYYEWWWWWWWWWWWW!

I've had my female Savannah for quite a while and she is no where near this tame as he is after just a few short weeks. And he's been in a pet store his entire life.