Getting my dragon used to me

[Patrick96]

I have had my dragon for about a month now. I have not tried to play with him much because where he was new at first and then he started shedding. I have been laying my hand in the cage for a few minutes everyday the past few days, but he just stays still and looks at it. He doesn't come closer. He runs away when I try to hold him or pet him. How can I get him comfortable with me? did I wait too long?

 

[Fauzt0]

Try hand feeding some super worms? I would say persistence. Its taking its time, playing hard to get

 

[Drache613]

Moved by Moderator from General to Behavior

 

[staylor867]

It is normal beardie behavior. When your hand is in the cage, they don't think anything of it. They are not like dogs or cats, wanting to crawl to you. However, depending on the age when you pick up a beardie they naturally might run away. I have a baby ( about 2 months), the name is Sentry and Sentry is still getting used to me, so when he/she gets picked up, the response is to run away. When he/she is out, he/she wants to explore and run/jump/climb around. My older beardie, the name was Uriah, was always stilled when I went to pick him up. However, when he was out sometimes he wanted to explore and other times he wanted to chill with me.

 

[ChrispyCactus]

I'm having the exact same problem, I got my baby bearded dragon, cactus, just last month and he started shedding the week after so I'd didn't want to hold him since it was recommended to leave him be. He used to be okay with me picking him up, but now he's running away a lot and I don't want him to be scared of me