Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I recieved a sub adult bearded dragon a few months ago. I don't think he had ever been handled. He was in bad shape, so i've spent the last few months getting him back into overall good health. Now he's healthy and eating just fine. I think he's stable enough to be handled, so i was wondering how to go about it. He's about 16 inches long. I've been petting him occasionally, feeding him by hand everyday, and put his cage in a high-traffic area. He doesn't like being petted and puffs up every once in a while. Should i just start picking him up whether he likes it or not? Like i said, he's never been handled. If you guys have any advice of how to start acclimating him to people, i would appreciate it. Thanks
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Scott,
Proud owner of
0.0.1 Bearded dragon (Lance)
2.0.0 Rats (George and Lenny)
0.0.5 Red Belly Piranhas in a 75g tank

I don't think I'd pick him up yet. I think I'd (maybe cause I'm a big chicken) is I'd slip my palm under his belly and settle his weight on my hand. That way, he'll get used to your touch, and then slowly over the course of a week, maybe more, I'd lift him a couple of inches up, hold him there, then put him down, Gradually increading the distance. Give him something tasty to nibble on afterwards....
Jamie

Well, I have tamed a year old beardie and an 18 month old. I think that if you are worried about getting bit, you should wear gloves. I would get the beardie comfortable to being touched and then work up to holding. i always hold untame dragons over their cage so that if they try to get away, they have somewhere safe that they will go and won't get under the couch, refridgerator, etc. Always keep a good treat in your hand so that the dragon realizes you don't want to eat it, but instead, you are feeding it. Its like training a dog. Positive reinforcement works a lot. Just go really slow with the handling so you don't scare your beloved beardie. Amanda