Can all bearded dragons be good around people?

[Mindy]

I have had my bearded dragon, Mojo for about 9 months now. I am unsure, but i believe he is a year and a month or two old. Ive always held him regularily, and he dosent seem to be afraid of me. But he doesnt really seem to enjoy it either. If i place him on the ground do he can run and explore, he just sits there and i get the feeling he's scared. He doesnt seem to enjoy being "cuddled" with either (at least most of the time. Theres occasional times when its obvious he likes it).
Ive read all these stories of people with the friendliest, most people loving dragons ever, but none that act the same as Mojo. So ive begun to wonder, is this because i am doing something wrong? Or could it possibly be because Mojo's personality just kind of introverted? (is that even possible in a bearded dragon??)

 

[kcarello]

Well, I don't know what to tell ya!! I held mine from day one and talked baby talk to her and snuggled with her..she is a sweetheart and loves attention...from anyone...she is pretty famous in this little town I live in. Have you tried getting yours a blankie and snuggling with him at night before she goes to bed? Have you tried hand feeding him wax worms or butter worms? I hope he comes around for you.
Good luck,
Kelly

 

[RoscoTheBeardie]

Well, I personally think that most BDs just get used to it and tolerate it for the most part. They don't really have a part of their brain that gives them "feelings" so I really don't think any of them "love" the attention. Ours is younger than yours and he definitely prefers me to others and I just think it is because I'm the one who does most of the care and so he is most used to me. He is most uncomfortable with my son or other people who are not used to him... to me that is just him watching out for himself. He would likely run and hide, given the chance, or stand there scared. The only time mine is really "cuddely" is when he is ready to sleep or after a bath when we wants to get warm or if he feels really scared of other things and is using me to hide. Really, I don't think they have the depth of enough emotion to acutally enjoy what other people talk about. I think those people have just conditioned their BDs to tolerate the attention. Just my opinion 8)

 

[kcarello]

I know there are alot or dragon owners on here that will dissagree with you. You are scientifically correct on some levels but in actuality most feel differently when they know how they interact with their dragons.

 

[tgolden]

I'm not gonna get into the feelings conversation cause I end up making silly people mad but from my experience with mine he don't give a hoot about"cuddling" and does not like new people at all. In fact he is aggressive to new people and things he does not know. He will tolerate being handled, he will sit and hang out with me and will walk around on a leash. If he is tried and happens to be on me he sleeps.

 

[Momswims1]

Guess I am one of those "silly people", as tgolden said, who believes that my dragons love to cuddle for the warmth, attention, whatever. Some may think they just tolerate it, and maybe theirs do, but mine will come find me and climb up to cuddle under my hair or around my neck. I don't force them to. They climb up my leg or arm to get up close to my face and cuddle.
Personally, it doesn't matter to me what others think because every animal is different with their wants and needs. You do what you think is best for your dragon, and bond with it as much as you can. You will miss out on a lot if you don't. So will your dragon.
I have had mine since they were two weeks old and they have always enjoyed the warmth of human companionship.

 

[tgolden]

Guess I am one of those "silly people", as tgolden said, who believes that my dragons love to cuddle for the warmth, attention, whatever. Some may think they just tolerate it, and maybe theirs do, but mine will come find me and climb up to cuddle under my hair or around my neck. I don't force them to. They climb up my leg or arm to get up close to my face and cuddle.
Personally, it doesn't matter to me what others think because every animal is different with their wants and needs. You do what you think is best for your dragon, and bond with it as much as you can. You will miss out on a lot if you don't. So will your dragon.
I have had mine since they were two weeks old and they have always enjoyed the warmth of human companionship.

Please don't take silly people as a insult, I did not mean it that way.

 

[mommisgurl]

I agree with momswims...At night,a good hour before lights out,I'll take Reptar out and lay down on my bed with him..he'll crawl up my chest,find my neck,and literally nudge and snuggle into my neck..I've only had him a little more than a month,and he's only 2 1/2 months..maybe it's because i do it every night..but my mom,brother,and co-workers all have held him and cuddled wih him,no problem. every beardie is different..but i believe,as with all animals, it's how their raised. he knows the routine,and seems to like it.

 

[Momswims1]

I love when they cuddle into my neck, too. Especially when they start doing the little diggy shimmy thing. Melts me. Guess it just feels so soft and warm to them. They don't do that with my husband, though. Just me and my daughter. Maybe he has razor stubble or something.
I just love my dragons.

 

[SeanFred]

I think Nero see's me as his protector. While I don't know if he is being affectionate with me, but he will crawl up my arm and perch on my shoulder. He likes to go outside with me, but if anything flies overhead, he will move around my neck and shoulders for protection. he will nap on my shoulder or if I am holding him when I lay down on the couch, he will curl up in the crook between my neck, shoulder and the pillow. I don't know for certain if Nero likes it but I know I do.
That's just me and Nero though

 

[morphmom]

He doesnt seem to enjoy being "cuddled" with either (at least most of the time. Theres occasional times when its obvious he likes it).
Ive read all these stories of people with the friendliest, most people loving dragons ever, but none that act the same as Mojo. So ive begun to wonder, is this because i am doing something wrong? Or could it possibly be because Mojo's personality just kind of introverted? (is that even possible in a bearded dragon??)

There's one dragon that acts exactly like Mojo. My dragon Myah. (Maybe there's something up with 'M' names! LOL! :lol: ) She was an adult when I adopted her so trust has come very slow. I just keep working with her. If the 'calm days' out number the 'wild days' it's a win for both of us. There's always progress. You may just have a stubborn BD. :wink: