Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have just recently purchased a new beardie. I had one in the past and really loved his personality. I work at a pet store chain, and I fell in love with this one particular beardie. he was the first to arrive and the last to leave, therefore he was the bigest in the cage. problem is he had also become very agressive- to the point that he would lunge for your hand if you even dared to put it near him. I was one of the the only 2 people willing to handle him and his care was suffering because of it- I had to bring hime home- right?! since bringing him home it has been off and on. at first he seemed to chill out- he wasnt trying to bite too much and even seemed to be beginging to like me, but the last few days he is back to his old ways. not wanting to be held (litteraly jumping out of my hand), biting, hissing, generally acting like a real tough guy. he eats great and is in good health. any suggestions on how to make some additude adjustments??
~Teresa
1Bearded Dragon ~ Zeus
1Mountain Horned Dragon ~Ki
1Ball Python ~Apep
1HUGE Golden Retriever ~Jake
3Cats ~Ra, Bastet, Isis
Assorted Fish
1Husband
2Kids

Teresa all you can do really is hold him daily for short periods. When picking him up don't reach straight down on top of him from above, but pick him up from his level.. It instinct for them to think anything coming down on top of them is a preditor.

Dragons do go through phases just like adolescent boys, and girls. There comes a time when they would rather be left alone. You just got to hold them for short periods through this stage. Not many who are handled regularly take this aggressiveness into adulthood.. In time they usually calm, and relax when being held.

Another thing you could try is bathing him.. As long as he is not an itty bitty baby putting a little extra water in so his feet can just touch the bottom is ok as long as you SUPERVISE at all times.. He will naturally look to grab onto something he can climb out on.. Let that be your hand

Also when you go to pick him up bring a few pieces of greens with you.. When he opens his mouth shove a piece in and pick him up. gets him eating his greens, and keeps his mouth occupied while you pick him up. chewing on the food will take his mind off of being picked up.

sooner or later he'll realize his protest is useless, and there is really no need as you would not hurt him anyway.. It takes time, and regular handling.. Don't be afraid.. if a glove is needed for you to show no fear, and not flinch when he reacts then wear one, and take it off when you have him under control, so he feels your hands, and smells you.

good luck to you and your new pet beardie
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Mystical-Dragons Web Site
Webshots photos

One pet store I go to one of the owners has a beardie that was agreesive like you discribe. She just kept handling it until it finally calmed down.

BTW, I got bit by my beardie the other day and it doesn't hurt at all. He is about 4" in body length and he got my finger while I was hand feeding him. The bite wasn't on purpose but it did surprise me.

You WILL notice the bearded's bite as he/she gets older! 4" isn't a big beardie. My guy has been hand fed for ages...only way he'd eat veggies. I just noticed today how sharp his jaw is...he'll eat now in his cage...I just like handling him and feeding him. So we do both. I bathe him everyday and he does his "business" there. I think the key is to be gentle gentle GENTLE and persistent.

Good luck!

Every one is so quick to blame the dragon but have you every thought that maybe he is not the one with the problem? Beardie's are a good judge of character. Maybe he is just picking up on the fact that you are just mean! My advice is to let your husband go out and buy the dvds and video games that he has been wanting and make sure that the beardie knows about it. This should show him... I think you said his name is... Zeus, right? This should Zeus that you are a kind, wonderful, loving, person and that he should be nice to you. Just a thought.

...Oh and another thing!

...did you say your were picking up dinner or do I need to pick it up on the way home? LOL!
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Bryan, Atlanta GA

1-0-0 Ball Python - Apep
0-1-0 Mountain Horned Dragon - Ki
0-0-1 Aggressive Bearded Dragon - Zeus
1-1-0 Rats... no wait... ROTTEN Little Cats - Ra, Bastet
0-1-0 Little Angelic Kitten - Isis
1-0-0 Horse... whoops... BIG Golden Retriever - Jake
0-1-0 Wife
2-0-0 Kids

lol....that was funny. I hope your new dragon mellows out for you guys soon and, hey....any pics yet??! Oh, and I love the name. I have a Zeus too, although he is of the feline persuasion.

-Nicky
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Clowns to the left of me
Jokers to the right
Here I am, stuck in the middle with you...

2.1 Bearded Dragons: Gordo, Layne, & Chiquita
2.4 Cats: Zeus, Remi, Kiki, Delilah, Sadie & Cheyenne
1.0 Betta: Mr. Purple

Thanks! Yeah I know he will eventually come around. I wanted to call him Loki but lost out to Zeus. Everything that we have (save the dog, Jake) has names from mythology. Started with Egyptian (my favorite) and are now just picking from all different cultures'.
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Bryan, Atlanta GA

1-0-0 Ball Python - Apep
0-1-0 Mountain Horned Dragon - Ki
0-0-1 Aggressive Bearded Dragon - Zeus
1-1-0 Rats... no wait... ROTTEN Little Cats - Ra, Bastet
0-1-0 Little Angelic Kitten - Isis
1-0-0 Horse... whoops... BIG Golden Retriever - Jake
0-1-0 Wife
2-0-0 Kids

I say...ditch the husband! Then you can have more beardies! Beardies are easier to raise than husbands. sigh Even the most aggressive beardie talks back less than a HUSBAND. Beardies eat their veggies, unlike husbands. Beardies don't snore. They don't care what's on tv. They like Decorating Shows as much as football. Beardies cost nothing to dress. It's a no brainer.

IF I had to choose between my husband and my beardie, it would be a hard, hard choice. Shhhhh don't anyone tell my husband...but he'd lose. LOLOL

Snowqueen4,

Thank you so much for helping my wife with great advice! LOL! I'll have you know that I don't snore (most of the time), AND I watch some designing shows with her (true it is only to make fun of them, but it is still together time, right? LOL). I do have serve some useful purposes. As for the "It's a no brainer", it would have to be for wives to understand it in the first place!

I have a feeling that couch is going to be mighty cold to sleep on tonight! LOL! (your post was good and she loved it! she just hasn't had time to write a comment back yet... I fear it is coming soon!)
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Bryan, Atlanta GA

1-0-0 Ball Python - Apep
0-1-0 Mountain Horned Dragon - Ki
0-0-1 Aggressive Bearded Dragon - Zeus
1-1-0 Rats... no wait... ROTTEN Little Cats - Ra, Bastet
0-1-0 Little Angelic Kitten - Isis
1-0-0 Horse... whoops... BIG Golden Retriever - Jake
0-1-0 Wife
2-0-0 Kids

This is to funny but it was your own fault for making the comments. Men should learn that when they open their mouths and make smartbleep comments that they're going to get it from all the women around and not just their women seeing as we all stick together when it comes to dealing with men and we always get our way in the end. My hubby told me in the beginning when my baby beardies hatched this year that I couldn't keep one but I have one of my babies and he also told me that when we went to the reptile show here that I couldn't buy anything but I got another gecko so it just goes to show that we always get our way so learn to deal with it lol. Congrats on the beardie most people won't deal with aggresive animals so I'm glad that someone that loves animals enough not to care if they get bit took him in since I've been bitten by both my adults and it does hurt but then again I've been bitten at least once by all my animals for one reason or another.

LOLOL I'm glad I didn't offend you. Of course it was meant in good fun...LOL.

When I turned 40 I decided I wanted a tattoo. My husband FORBADE me...I repeat...FORBADE me to get one. So of course, I got a beautiful forget me not tattooed on my back shoulder. LOL He has since learned to "negotiate". LOL Actually, it's funny...I brought the reptiles into our lives, but he adores them. He sings to my tortoise, Jenna...he sings "Jenna with the light brown hair. " This man cannot carry a tune. And she looks at him like "what the heck? where's the food". lol

And yes, women do have a habit of sticking together. Just a fact of life...looking forward to hearing from your wife.

Maleea

Honest she did! For her it was me pushing for her to get the tattoo (for her 30th b-day). I would never forbade her to do anything unless it was something I really wanted her to do. Ah, reverse psychology! Works great for kids or wives! She is going to be on here with her comments later today so more than likely I will regret these comments shortly! LOL! I do have to say that I am lucky I have her and that she has put up with me for the past 14 years!
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Bryan, Atlanta GA

1-0-0 Ball Python - Apep
0-1-0 Mountain Horned Dragon - Ki
0-0-1 Aggressive Bearded Dragon - Zeus
1-1-0 Rats... no wait... ROTTEN Little Cats - Ra, Bastet
0-1-0 Little Angelic Kitten - Isis
1-0-0 Horse... whoops... BIG Golden Retriever - Jake
0-1-0 Wife
2-0-0 Kids

the tiger incident really was funny.... he was behind bars...just because those bars were only about and inch away...
anyway, thanks for all the advice. it looks like i've been on the right track, I was just hoping to have some better results already. (I also dont think the cats are helping- the door got left open this morning and I found one cat laying on top of the cage and one laying in front of it. poor beardie was just staring back trying to look as fierce as possible) I'll be doing some cat-proofing on my day off tomorow!!!!
as for you, my dear sweet husband (hack, gag, lol), I like my roses yellow.....
~Teresa

what my dear wife forgot to say was that she sent me into the keepers' area, with a bucket of meat and told me that the keeper room was to the left right inside the door. Problem was the keeper room was to the right and to the left I met a tiger WHILE still carrying the bucket of meat!
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Bryan, Atlanta GA

1-0-0 Ball Python - Apep
0-1-0 Mountain Horned Dragon - Ki
0-0-1 Aggressive Bearded Dragon - Zeus
1-1-0 Rats... no wait... ROTTEN Little Cats - Ra, Bastet
0-1-0 Little Angelic Kitten - Isis
1-0-0 Horse... whoops... BIG Golden Retriever - Jake
0-1-0 Wife
2-0-0 Kids

details, details....(lol)

Hmmmmm.....I never thought of trying to off my husband that way. The old "the tiger isn't in there" bait and switch. Cool.

You guys are just too cool. And yes....a beardie MIGHT get a bit annoyed at a cat peering down IN his cage. LOLOL

Actually, I put paper around the sides of mine's cage. I can't remember why but I must have read that they like not seeing out.
Anyway, it works. LOL

Best of luck to you two lovebirds.

Maleea