Adult beardie hates me

[Ilovelucy]

I aquired a 3 year old dragon (thats what the guy said, have no clue if this is accurate) and apparently he was rarely handled by his last two owners. I just love this guy even though his name is grumpy and he seems to hate me.

Things had improved for a bit, but then i took him out of his cage and I think i traumatized him. He has black bearded me, beard flexed me, gaped and hissed, he flinches at me to make me go away because it always startles me and he knows it. he runs away from me when i try to spend time with him in his cage, starts glass dancing like he's trying to get away from me....

I am so bummed about this. Is there any hope? I knew it was going to be hard from the beginning just because of his past, but now I feel like I've blown it forever. I just think he wasn't ready to come out, and I pushed him too hard too fast. So hard to have patience when you just want him to come out and be your buddy!!

Anyone have any tips and tricks I could try?
My plan is to just keep exposing myself to him in a safe way bit by bit. Not evening trying to lift him until he can become ok with petting. Right now I can't even get my hand in the tank without him watching me like a hawk!! He doesn't seem to mind me at all though when super worms are involved.
Maybe I just have a super grumpy guy and he'll never come around? Maybe it will take time?

 

[CooperDragon]

It will take time. He may never be as tame as a dragon who has been handled since birth though. How long have you had him? I'd leave him alone for a while to adjust if you just got him. Eventually you can try to hold him around lights out when he's tired and less likely to put up a fight. If you can eventually hold him, try it right at lights out and hold him outside of the tank on your chest for a while. That may help get him used to you being safe and secure.

 

[Ilovelucy]

I've had him for about six weeks and gave him time to adjust, left him alone besides feeding then gradually started talking to him more, spending time in his cage etc.

When I first got him I picked him up despite the struggling and once he got on my chest he calmed down and fell asleep. I stopped doing that because I read you shouldn't pick them up if it's a struggle.

Ill try more at lights out and see where that gets me. He does let me pet him more at that time, I've just been too afraid to try picking him up because I don't want him to hate me more!!

I'll let you know how it goes

 

[Ilovelucy]

Wow that trick really worked. I had to chase him a little for him to let me pet him but he finally gave up and just laid there. So I picked him up, he was fine til it got him out of the cage, he started to struggle so I just held him a little more firmly until he got still. Then I quick wrapped him in a blanket and he's been laying on me ever since! He was not happy at first, but now he's all cozy and asleep. Thank you so much!!! I might have a snuggler after all. he likes when I pat his back too like a baby lol
I love him, acts so tough but just a little puppy inside

 

[CooperDragon]

Excellent =). It will take some time for that to work for good, but keep it up. It's fun to hold them like that too.