Reptile & Amphibian Forums

My juvy dragon rather then slowly having become acclimatized to handling has become less and less patient about being held for any time. This time it put up such a struggle to keep it under control that I had to hold onto it while it wiggled hard to be released and got nipped for my effort. It didn't hurt just surprised me!

get yourself a hampster ball. hold him while he's inside the hamster ball and after a while start holding him outside the hamster ball little by little. it only took me a few days to get mine to start letting me hold him.

i have never heard that before i have a 14 inch long male that doesnt want to be held at all he does the same thing do u think it will work for him?

maybe, but i think you'll need something bigger than a hamster ball at that point... maybe a bin of some kind?

well i have seen 18 inch ones for guinea pigs and stuff like that

Could use more advice as this time I wasn't even able to get him out of his cage today!

u need to be aggressive. i have some that are bad like that just reach in and grab around the belly and hold tight but not to tight. its going to take some work. i am gonna try the ball idea and se if it works. i have had to hold them for about an hour a day for about three weeks.

Hi
i have a nice link .

http://beardeddragons.50megs.com/mark.html

they say just before light go of the beardie go already in rest.
then pick him up and try to put him in a towel suround him.
and sit for a while and pet him .
so he get used to you .
for some people that wil help.
but read the link maybe it wil help you .
byeeeeee
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www.dragoncave.nl

watch that the toes dont get caught in the ventalation slits in the ball! but a good idea, never would have thought of that!
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hanging out under heat lights burns up my brain cells!!

I agree with B22's post about using a towel... We've got a dragon that WAS aggressive... he isn't so much any more, but when he gets wrapped up in a towel after a bath he is downright the most passive, agreeable dragon in the world.
However, before he decided to be a "nice guy" he gave me a good "nip" on my pinky that took my fingernail off. Best to get them socialized before they get big enough that they can really act like they're the boss of you!

Louis, the guilty party:

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-Jaime Palma
Mad-City Constrictors

I've started hand feeding him. His favorites are are small meal worms which he like enough to overcome any hesitation of eating then out of the palm of my hand!

Do not hand feed him. he could start to associate your hand with the food or bite you accidently either theres a good chance youll end up gettin bit,and when you pick him up make sure all four legs are on your hand or arm. that could be the reason he doesnt like bein held every lizard i have ever had would freak when there legs/feet were unsupported,as soon as you support them they would be completely docile.i would also not suggest force holding them if they dont want to be held dont thye think your trying to eat them when they freak out.so work up to holding very slowly.start by just touching them in there cage then work slowly from there.that wont put any undo stress on them and you also wont get bit either. ive been keeping reptiles for 12 years including bearded dragons.this has worked with every lizard i have ever had even monitors.

we had a beardie like that at my job who just did not want anythin 2 do with anyone and i was determined to get her more handleable....she used 2 attempt to nip at me everytime i went to change her water, feed her, or take her out to clean her tank so i got fed up and one day i jus grabbed her firmly but not to tight and i let her chomp down on my finger and i tapped her nose with my other hand nd she let go nd opened her mouth at me so i misted her nd she closed her mouth and every time she did that i wud mist her...after about 3 weeks i got her so tame she wud walk up onto my hand wen i put it in the tank nd she licks me now instead of chompin down...its only a matter of patience