Bearded dragon acting weird. How do I bond with him?

[Buddy the Bearded Dragon]

Hello! My bearded dragons name is Buddy. Some info about him and his enclosure. He might be about 2-3 months old. The first time I got him he had already shed. You could see some skin on his nails and feet. He has a petty big enclosure and he has UVB lights. They have the right temperature so I don’t worry about that. He eats crickets and we bought the food they were feeding him at the store. He is a Fancy Bearded Dragon. To be honest we don’t know if he’s a boy or girl but I just say “he”. So the problem I’m having is that I don’t really see him eating his food like before. I don’t see him drinking water like he used to. He’s been active though. He was in brumation for a bit so I didn’t pick him for a while. So when he was finally getting out of his hide out I left him alone for a while more then I tried to pick him up and he ran away. He has done that a few times but he eventually stopped. And now he has started again. Like I said before he hasn’t been eating or drinking like he was before the brumation. He looks a bit skinnier now. But maybe that’s just because he hasn’t flatten out. And when I take him out of his cage he always runs away and I have to catch him before he goes too far. But I think he might shed again. I just want to make sure he’s ok. Also what can I do to warm up to him? How do I get him to eat salad? What can I do to make him grow faster? Sorry I’m a noob.

 

[Longfellow777]

Don't trip we were all noobs at one point. A lot of great people on here that will help you and your beardie along your journey. How long have you had it at the house the reason I ask is because a lot of time they have relocation stress which would have to do with the change in appetite. I had my baby for a few weeks before it stopped jumping around when I take it out. Hand feeding the baby will create trust too. You mentioned you got it at a store what kind of UVB light did you get. Temperatures and the ultraviolet light are the two most important things in the tank?

 

[Beansbanana]

Please go over your basking temperatures and uvb. That has a lot to do with their behavior and digestion. @KarrieRee is great at helping with that!

 

[KarrieRee]

Don't trip we were all noobs at one point. A lot of great people on here that will help you and your beardie along your journey. How long have you had it at the house the reason I ask is because a lot of time they have relocation stress which would have to do with the change in appetite. I had my baby for a few weeks before it stopped jumping around when I take it out. Hand feeding the baby will create trust too. You mentioned you got it at a store what kind of UVB light did you get. Temperatures and the ultraviolet light are the two most important things in the tank?

Welcome to the forum - first thing I would slow down on the handling - hes very young scared and is going thru relocation stress - he needs time to acclimate to his tank and surroundings - you can put a piece of clothing or a fleece blanket in his hide something w/ your smell on it to get him used to you- trust and patience is key here - he will need to learn to trust you and you will need to have some patience w/ him - please approach from the side and not over head they have a 3rd eye on top of their heads for predators - I would get him some BSFL www.symtonbsf.com maybe start w/ medium size - use those to hand feed him this will start hand taming him then use as many as you want on top of his salads - they are a great staple feeder for babies and great compliment to his main insect add them to the salads in front of him this will lure him to the bowl -- you will need a bowl like this to keep the BSFL in and if you get dubia roaches they can be added to the salads as well https://www.amazon.com/MACGOAL-Rept...uGQB&pd_rd_wg=tLkwE&ref_=pd_gw_ci_mcx_mr_hp_d
basking surface temps taken w/ a digital probe thermometer and a good long tube UVB are key to getting him acclimated to the tank and surroundings - these are extremely important - if you need more help on this please ask

 

[Longfellow777]

Hopefully things are going well. We would love to k ow what kind of equipment your using? uvb and temps in tank? the beardie will not thrive if these thigs are not on point

 

[AHBD]

Can you post a few pics of Buddy and all of his enclosure, including lights ? And if he's 2-3 months he was not brumating, babies don't brumate. They hide when they're stressed or not feeling well in some way.