almost 7 months old and still an @$$hole

[rattazzios]

I got my beardie on August 6th in 2014. he does not let me hold him. he lets me pet him for about 20 seconds, and then he runs away. He seems rather scared. I hand feed him almost everyday. I try and try and none of it seems to work. Its quite frusterating. I had a beardie who died last year, but he used to let me do everything with him. I would hold him, take him for car rides, and i even took him to school with me one day. The beardie i have now, is nothing like this. I cannot even take him out of his terrarium. I feel like its no use. Has this happened to anyone else?

 

[Gruff]

Hello, how are you today? I am responding to your post regarding your bearded dragons behavior. Please answer these questions so I can help you further your research.

1. How long is your beardy basking?

2. What are the temperatures of your tank? Cold and hot side.

3. Did you receive this beardy from someone who couldn't take care of it?

4. What is his food, and diet like?

5. Are you giving him more than 15 minutes to play each day?

6. What size terrarium is the beardy in?

 

[TheDragonKeepers]

Yup, welcome to beardie teenagerdom. He's giving you attitude because, like a teen, he's trying to assert himself as an individual, and he's trying to assert his dominance.

Don't punish him, just continue to do what YOU want, and insist that he has to do it too. Don't worry, he WILL get over it - dragons are smart. Insist on doing what you usually do - if he gets aggressive and bitey, wear gloves. If he bares his teeth at you, stick a bit of greens in there. It'll surprise him, and have the dual effect of getting him to eat his greens and like 'em.

It usually blows over in about three weeks when you've got a beardie that is used to trusting humans.

 

[rattazzios]

hes been like this for almost 5 months now. I have tried all of this. its just frustrating
His temps are all good. 98 hot 74 cool 104 basking
he eats phoenix worms 3x a week. his greens bowl is filled every morning
he poops 4-6 times a week. he basks often, unsure how long though.
I dont know. i just feel like i've tried everything

 

[RangosMomma]

Hey there!! I dont really have any advice, because truthfully, we're going through the EXACT same thing over here lol Our temps are fantastic (and Ive been doubly checky lately because of his temperment), he'll bask all day, eat like a flipping pig, poos on schedule same time everyday, tolerates being petted, despises being held....its like hitting your head on a brick wall, and knowing how wonderful they can be makes it even more frustrating!!!!! so anyway, just wanted to say, we feel ya!! and good luck!!

 

[rattazzios]

thanks you too! i know what you mean. its just frusterating. I mean theres gotta be a way to crack him. When you see a badly behaved kid, you blame the parents for lack of authority. I have a badly behaved beardie, but i am doing everything in my power to get him to be good. I just dont understand

 

[destiny1998]

Hi. You should be feeding him protein everyday until he's a year in a half( adult) then veggies 80% and 20% protein. That might be why hes grumpy he's hungry. When they are young they need lots of protein more then salad and be fed 2x to 3x a day for as many bugs as he'll eat in 15 mins.

 

[TheDragonKeepers]

Keep at it. Some dragons are mardy so-and-so's, particularly when they think it's spring. Frank's like that too - it's taken him eight months to calm down and behave himself consistently and trustworthily. Most dragons get over it quickly, some take a bit longer. You'll get there.

 

[BeardieBrat]

Honestly I want to tell you it'll get better but... it might not.

It sounds like your beardie is going through puberty. They become testy, rude, and can even bite.

But you also have to keep in mind that bearded dragons are just like humans- each has their own personality. To put it bluntly, my oldest bearded dragon is a grade A B*tch. She is almost 2 years old and has only recently (like within the last month) allowed both my fiance and I to hold her for more than a few minutes at a time. She still hisses and beards at us every now and then but mostly she just sits and glares. Keep in mind that she is not a rescue and has been with us since she was just a month old.
Whereas my newest beardie is very laid back. He loves to sleep on your shoulder and just chill out. Where she wants to attack everything, he just wants to lick it and then sleep on it.

You should never expect two animals or reptiles to be identical. To assume that they would be was a mess up on your part.

Your bearded dragon will come around eventually. But his personality might just be the way it is.

 

[TheDragonKeepers]

My superaggressive Jacques is now a real sweetie, whilst insane Frankie is... getting there. He still has bad days, but he's a lot more trustworthy, and by the same measure, trusting, than he ever was.

Some dragons are naturally grumpy, but they do get more mellow as they get older too. From what I understand, Frank had been near unhandleable for about three years, before he arrived here. He's taken eight months, but he's getting there

 

[Lilith86]

Hi there,

I know this can be frustrating, especially when you love them so much that you want to show them affection in the mammalian way (cuddling). If they aren't into that, I'd try spending some quality time with them in the reptile way by just hanging out with him while he runs around you. Sometimes letting them blow off steam but not letting the hide or run too far away is a good first step to building familiarity and trust. My male is about 7 years old and was a pill when he was younger. He's not quite cuddly now, but he definitely doesn't mind being picked up any more. He's mellowed a lot. Your guy may never be a cuddle bug, but he may be an amusing companion as he settles down.

In the mean time, I know your frustration... My juvenile uromastyx is terrified of me still and/ or hates my guts!!