Evergrowingfamily
Member
Hi,
I was wondering if any of you have had experience with young children handling your bearded dragons? We have four year, two year and 2 month old (human) children. I am ALWAYS struggling to find ways to get our 8 month old dragon out more to get enrichment and exercise. But it's hard because I have to protect her from the kids. I have seen beardie slings and pics of kids holding their dragons. However, my four year old just isn't quite fast enough to notice when our dragon looks like she's about to jump (when she's being held) or to understand the signs of stress and when to leave our dragon alone (if she's petting her over and over again for example. I never allow the kids to be in the room with her alone, even if she's in her tank. I considered getting one of the beardie slings, to allow her some outside of the tank time. I just don't know if she would chill in it or try to jump! Maybe I can attach a leash/harness to her while she's in a sling so if she tried to jump she won't crash into the floor? Not sure if that's a good idea or if that would be worse on her. I just feel so bad because I want her to be able to roam and explore and be a happy dragon, but she's got to spend a lot of time in her tank because I don't want the littles chasing her or being too rough. Also about what age did any of you notice the kids understood how to properly handle a dragon? Thanks everyone!
I was wondering if any of you have had experience with young children handling your bearded dragons? We have four year, two year and 2 month old (human) children. I am ALWAYS struggling to find ways to get our 8 month old dragon out more to get enrichment and exercise. But it's hard because I have to protect her from the kids. I have seen beardie slings and pics of kids holding their dragons. However, my four year old just isn't quite fast enough to notice when our dragon looks like she's about to jump (when she's being held) or to understand the signs of stress and when to leave our dragon alone (if she's petting her over and over again for example. I never allow the kids to be in the room with her alone, even if she's in her tank. I considered getting one of the beardie slings, to allow her some outside of the tank time. I just don't know if she would chill in it or try to jump! Maybe I can attach a leash/harness to her while she's in a sling so if she tried to jump she won't crash into the floor? Not sure if that's a good idea or if that would be worse on her. I just feel so bad because I want her to be able to roam and explore and be a happy dragon, but she's got to spend a lot of time in her tank because I don't want the littles chasing her or being too rough. Also about what age did any of you notice the kids understood how to properly handle a dragon? Thanks everyone!