Is eye closing normal when petting

[Dartanyan]

Hello, when I pet Dartanyan he closes his eyes, I've read that it's a good thing and I also read that it's a bad thing, I thought it was cute cause as some of you know I've been having a hard time to get him to bond with me, he'll let me pick him up every now and then because he still fights, so I thought with me petting him and his eyes were closed that he was starting to trust me a little more, please help and let me know if I'm doing something wrong or if I should stop petting him all together.

 

[KarrieRee]

Hello, when I pet Dartanyan he closes his eyes, I've read that it's a good thing and I also read that it's a bad thing, I thought it was cute cause as some of you know I've been having a hard time to get him to bond with me, he'll let me pick him up every now and then because he still fights, so I thought with me petting him and his eyes were closed that he was starting to trust me a little more, please help and let me know if I'm doing something wrong or if I should stop petting him all together.

No that is a good thing and keep working w/ the holding - he will come around

 

[Rocky2022]

I too have heard both sides of this too-
The more that you learn your beardie's behavior, you'll figure out what it means to YOUR beardie. These animals have personalities, trust me. My beardie Rocky loves me but closes his eyes when he wants me to go away, has an attitude and when he plays with me. He closes one eye when he is focusing. If we are playing and I am talking to him and he has had enough, I swear he closes his eye on me. I simply say, "Open your eye and stop being dramatic" and he does LOL
As long as we are not inflicting pain, we are okay. As you saw, your beardie will fight if he doesn't want to be held- but there's a difference while building trust and in time, simply wanting to get away.
When Rocky doesn't want any more lettuce, he scoots back twice. If he doesn't want me to get him out of him enclosure, he shows me his butt (rude right)- keep working and learning your beardie- as I share these hilarious tales, trust me- it's fun!

 

[Dartanyan]

No that is a good thing and keep working w/ the holding - he will come around

Thank you so much, and I will keep you posted... I just didn't know if I should stop petting him, thanks for the advice. And your right it is fun, it just takes patients... I guess you would say were still learning together, he's starting to get spoiled and I'm loving it.

 

[xp29]

Patients is the key, like Rocky said they all have distinct personalities. If mine close their eyes slowly it's usually a show of comfort. On the other hand, if they are done with me they close their eyes stick their nose in the air and very deliberately look the other way. It's the equivalent of being dismissed lol.