New baby

I just picked up my new baby ( well he's a four month old juvenile, but obviously he's my baby) on Saturday. He was super tame in the shop, a small family run reptile specialist shop, not a nasty chain thing, he would sit quite happily on my hand and not move.

Now it seems that his terrified when I go to pick him up. Obviously I understand that this is because his entire universe has changed, so I've just continued to get him out, and he seems to settle when he's out, but mostly I've just held him to my chest in a blanket and stroked him. I know that he needs to associate my hands with positive things, and I don't think that he particularly enjoys just being held and stroked when he's out, but is what I'm doing simply helping to understand that I am safe? I don't want to just let him wander around when he's out in case anything happens to him, but does anyone have any ideas of what I could do with him when he's out that he would actually enjoy, or do I really just need to keep holding him and putting him back?

I'm so desperate to get things right with him, and I know that these early days are pivotal in establishing our relationship. Any tips would be most gratefully received. Thank you

PS he has never hissed or bitten, and only opened his mouth a few times when he was brand, brand new.

It sounds like you're doing the right things so I suggest just giving him some time to settle and be patient. If you have a safe area of your house for him, he may enjoy roaming around a bit and exploring (closely supervised). My dragons all love running around the house. They also like sitting in the window sill and looking outside.

Thank you so much Cooper dragon, for taking the time to help me out, much appreciated