Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Does anyone have a beardie that is down right mean and don't like to be handled? I think my juvi will be if I don't get him tamed. He flares or runs when I try to pick him up. Just a sec ago I had my leopard gecko out(floyd) and I put him up to my dragons tank for a sec and his beard flared immediatly. He acted like he was gonna attack him. I thought dragons were supposed to be nice, cause mine is a little devil. O well hopefully he will get better.

i work at a petstore and ive never seen a mean beardie...........
i have however, dealt with mean iguanas and, correct me if i'm wrong, i think handfeeding is the best way to tame them.

A friend of mine has a beardie that is aggressive. He flares and opens his mouth at my friend evrey time he tried to pick him up. He has had him for about 2 years and I don't think he has worked real hard to tame him, but the dragon is quite the little stinker.
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Stacey

1)patience and time
2) read through the forums a little bit, this has been snwered quite a few times. I know becuase I asked this same question about 4 months ago. Now by beardie is 1) on my shoulder as i type this 2) his name has chnged f/ lil F#$^$, to lil bastard to now it is Oz. You have to put the time into it though

http://www.biology.lsa.umich.edu/research/labs/ktosney/file/BDtame2.html

Don't give up on him, did you say he's a juvie?
I copied this hyperlink at top, hope it works 'cause there's some good info there for ya.

Good Luck!!!

PS if it doesn't work, please let me know, i'll try something else. it's real good stuff!

All of these thing are DEFENSE mechanisms. Try to remember the dragons are not mean or nasty, they are stressed and scared!
Also, sometimes juvi males can get moody due to hormonal changes and become more territorial. It is a phase that typically passes, but is definitely helped along by handfeeding and work.
Definitely dont do things that will stress him more (like putting in the gecko). Get him to associate you with positive things (like treats).
Dana

Make sure there is nothing in his environment to scare him like: other pets, loud music or tv, ceiling fan, etc. If there is try moving him or hanging towels on the side of his cage so he can't see out for a few days. If he calms down then you know what is causing the behavior. You will then know the cause...

I moved mine outside last summer and he started acting like you've described - eventually I figured out that it was because all the trees moving, birds, etc was freaking him out,,, he was only acting this way because he was always prepared to defend. I moved him back in and he was fine. He still never bit me even though he surely looked like he was going to....

Good Luck!