Bearded dragon becomes aggressive when outside?

[Elise]

Hi, everyone! I just got my bearded dragon Lewie almost a month ago, and I'm a little fed-up with something. The first two weeks I've had him he's been perfectly well-behaved. I take him outside to poop and he usually does his business and soaks in some rays and then I put him back in his enclosure with no problems at all. This past week, however, he's become very skittish whenever I take him outside, and he's tried to run away from me multiple times (good thing I bought a leash!) He puffs-up his beard at me, turns black-bearded, and gapes, and won't let me pick him up. I've had to use a towel because he's almost hurt himself escaping from my grasp and falling. Also, he's blackened his beard at my family once this week. I want to take him out often but not when it's so difficult to do! What is going on with him?

 

[kingofnobbys]

He's had a fright while outside and he remembers it , he's acting up because he's terrified out he's not feeling secure out there.

... best to cut the outside adventures for now and let him have floor time inside instead in a safe area in the house. My gang love exploring the kitchen + dining area + lounge floors and if they poo on the carpet (not a big deal - a piece of damp paper towel to pick up the poo , and squirt with F10SC diluted 1:125 sorts that out and keeps things smell and germ free) and he'll feel much more secure inside than outside.

 

[Elise]

He's had a fright while outside and he remembers it , he's acting up because he's terrified out he's not feeling secure out there.

... best to cut the outside adventures for now and let him have floor time inside instead in a safe area in the house. My gang love exploring the kitchen + dining area + lounge floors and if they poo on the carpet (not a big deal - a piece of damp paper towel to pick up the poo , and squirt with F10SC diluted 1:125 sorts that out and keeps things smell and germ free) and he'll feel much more secure inside than outside.

Thanks for the answer! That never crossed my mind-- but it makes perfect sense! I'll give him a break from the yard for now.

 

[Casir141]

My guy gets so spooked when an air plane flys over. In his head it probably feels like a bird or predater coming for him and he freaks.

 

[Mysty]

A nice way of introducing him outside is to put out some basking furniture/hides from the viv.

 

[Elise]

A nice way of introducing him outside is to put out some basking furniture/hides from the viv.

That's a good idea, I'll try that.

 

[Elise]

My guy gets so spooked when an air plane flys over. In his head it probably feels like a bird or predater coming for him and he freaks.

And I tend to have a lot of planes fly over my house...