I swear my Beardie hates me

[beardielove10]

I got a new beardie about 2 months ago from the pet store. He was free because his back foot was bitten off by a cage mate. I didn't want the beardie to go to the wrong people because all they heard was "free" so I took him. Being that I have owned my other two for 5 years now, I thought it would be a piece of cake. This one will NOT stop opening his mouth at me and puffing up. It's like he thinks I tried murdering him once because he is convinced I'm not a good sign. He is set up in my bedroom because I thought maybe he would like to observe me on my daily routines to get more used to me. Any time I go into his tank to pick him up he puffs up at me. I scoop him up gently anyway, and talk to him softly. He will always dart away and suicide jump off of my hand to run and hide. He gets even more upset when I try and hold onto him while he squirms. If I talk to him he looks at me and opens his mouth as big as he can. I thought after a few weeks this behavior would stop. Now, a full two months later, he is JUST as bad as before if not getting worse. I don't know what I could have possibly done to make him so afraid of me. It hurts because I was looking forward to a loving bond with him like I have with my other two. What am I doing wrong? He really acts like he hates me. When my boyfriend or friends pick him up, he doesn't do any of that behavior to them. I don't get it. Will I ever gain his trust and will he ever like me? I just have been feeling so down about it. I've never had this issue before. :dontknow:

 

[kingofnobbys]

He has probably has a very bad / traumatic experience with humans associated with the loss of his leg. He remembers that .

Some enclosure territory defending is likely happening too, he regards the tank as his turf and is trying to repel unwelcomed invasions by a 5 headed scary monster.

Every time he threat displays at you pop a nice juicey insect treat or other treat in the open mouth.

It's just going to take time for him to learn to trust you and become comfortable with you , and you will just have to persevere and be patient . Cut back on the handling unless it is necessary or you are going to handfeed him some insects (a great way to gain the trust of a lizard and to form a bond with it).

 

[Minimum3]

Try not holding him directly. Try petting him first. Also try hand feeding him. That was a big key with mine, though he was handled, and didn't really like me to start with. If you have the time, you can put your hand in his cage and just let it set there. Grab a book, or watch a movie with your hand in there. By hand feeding and petting and doing that he should start to realize your not a threat.