3 days now, still not "doing his business"??

[bonnie]

got him on friday, prior owner told me when i called him that he had gone the same day he brought him to me. he eats a lot, acts fine, but WILL NOT GO! i have a hard time getting him out of his tank, he lets me pet his head and back, but not pick him up. the couple times i said heck with u and managed to grab a hold of him he was all hissy fit. i know a bath should help, but to get him out and into one is another story. i did put some veg oil on his veggies and on a couple crickets hoping it would loosen him up. help? ideas? have gotten him a container for a bath just need to get the little bugger out first. he is 10 mos old.

 

[EccentricME]

how old is he? I was told that when beardies get older they don't poop as often. Lincoln will go 3 days even 4 sometimes. I got him when he was 10months and it freaked me out when I first got him. Giving a bath will help for sure. Make sure when you go to pick him up out of the viv try to swoop from the side and not from the top. Also try picking him up late when they are getting sleepy. If you want to try giving olive oil mix it in some apple sauce use a syringe that you would give kids meds to. and drip some one his nose he hopefully will like it enough to eat it.

 

[ChrisMiller]

I second was EME said.... if you can come in from the side or behind and not straight over the top of him you'll be a lot better off. Their main enemies in the wild are birds of prey. Once you get him out, I would spend some time getting him familiar with you. Maybe lay on the ground with him so your at his level and work on that relationship. I think that is the first thing that needs to be worked on.... then you can give him baths and other things to help him along.

 

[bonnie]

he is 10 mos old, and yes i'm freaking with him not going yet! the location of his tank kind of makes it hard to do the "side swoop" thing. i have his tank on top of the tv entertainment stand, so my dog won't mess with him and freak him out. so i have to get up on a step ladder to get into the tank. the stand itself is chest-high, so we are eye level when i go to the tank to talk to him. he lets me pet the top of his head, closes his eyes and chills out. and perks up when i talk to him. i have thought of moving his tank but i don't know where else to put it. i have a spare room but don't want to isolate him so he sees nothing but boxes!

 

[dragonlover3]

Hi,
Start holding him shortly before lights out when he is tired. He should be calmer because he's slowing down to sleep. Sometimes that works to start building trust. Put something you have worn in his tank so he can get to know your scent, a shirt you have worn but not laundered yet is good. Always talk to him as you approach his tank. Reach in petting him and talking to him often. Sometimes just putting your hand in his tank petting him for a few minutes will help him to get to know your hand won't hurt him. To him you look like a big old giant that might eat him. Since he's 10 months old and not been held much it will take some time for him to get comfortable being held.
Amanda