I THINK MY BEARDIE HATES ME...

[lyates]

My husband brought home Camo on Mothers Day almost 1 month ago, I'm not sure how old he/she is, not too little but definetly not a hachling, at first he was great, let us hold him, ate great, shed twice...then last week we decided to give him a bath, he ran himself ragged in the tub but ever since then he flattens out, beard gets big, anytime I attempt to pet him or pick him up he runs from me anytime I try to touch him at all, and now he has learned how to hiss at me. ( He tried to bite me last night and I put a carrot in his mouth). He still eats good veggies, fruit and of course crickets but I don't think he likes me at all. I even cut a piece of my shirt and put it in with him so he could get used to my smell but he doesn't go near it. I talk to him constantly. He will let me clean his room, change his water and food, but when it comes to me trying to pet him, that's out of the question in his mind. I want him to be social and friendly....I have two sons 6 and almost 3, they love him too but right now all they can do is look at him and talk to him through glass.. Please help me

 

[Sarah26]

My husband brought home Camo on Mothers Day almost 1 month ago, I'm not sure how old he/she is, not too little but definetly not a hachling, at first he was great, let us hold him, ate great, shed twice...then last week we decided to give him a bath, he ran himself ragged in the tub but ever since then he flattens out, beard gets big, anytime I attempt to pet him or pick him up he runs from me anytime I try to touch him at all, and now he has learned how to hiss at me. ( He tried to bite me last night and I put a carrot in his mouth). He still eats good veggies, fruit and of course crickets but I don't think he likes me at all. I even cut a piece of my shirt and put it in with him so he could get used to my smell but he doesn't go near it. I talk to him constantly. He will let me clean his room, change his water and food, but when it comes to me trying to pet him, that's out of the question in his mind. I want him to be social and friendly....I have two sons 6 and almost 3, they love him too but right now all they can do is look at him and talk to him through glass.. Please help me

Oh that really sucks! That's why buying a baby is the way to go. (+ they are super cute)...
When my dragon was much younger, he would run away from me everytime I try to reach out to him, and sometimes he would even open his mouth and try to scare me... It worked the 1st time ( I'm new to the reptile world) but then my instincts taught me how to tame him... All I did was close his mouth (gently but firmly) everytime he tries to bite or open his mouth, then I pet him and massage his head, to calm him down and assure him I'm his momy... Guess what? It worked. Not only has he never opened his mouth at me again he also trusts me well enough to sleep on my shoulder.

Don't worry it's not impossible. It's harder with older dragons, but you surely can tame him with time and persistance.
For now ask your kids to avoid the dragon, as kids tend to be hyper active and loud which scare the hell out of the dragon...
Secondly, try what I said above and when he does try to bite give him a cricket.
Don't let go when he makes a fuss as he will quickly learn that that is how he will get what he wants.

Let me know how it goes.

Good luck

 

[lyates]

Thanks for the advice, my husband chased him around today and finally got him and Camo bit him too. Not sure what to do... Should we leave him be or continue to try to handle him. He's about 5 in long including tail...

 

[Sarah26]

Thanks for the advice, my husband chased him around today and finally got him and Camo bit him too. Not sure what to do... Should we leave him be or continue to try to handle him. He's about 5 in long including tail...

He's about the same size my baby was when I got him. Don't leave him alone. Always handle him, and when he bites hold his mouth (gentle but firm grip) then pat his head. He'll come around eventually.

Does he poop regularily?

 

[lyates]

Yes, he poops everyday, I'm guessing that's normal

 

[Sarah26]

Yes, he poops everyday, I'm guessing that's normal

Yes he's supposed to poop once or twice a day at this age.

Is he better now?

 

[lyates]

Maybe a little, I'm taking a different aproach with him today, when I gave him breakfast he let me pet him and stroke his head, he just sat there and closed his eyes, I did not try to pick him up...but he never tried to run, then I talked to him for a few minutes and walked away, I'm going to do this again for dinner and I will let you know

 

[Sarah26]

Maybe a little, I'm taking a different aproach with him today, when I gave him breakfast he let me pet him and stroke his head, he just sat there and closed his eyes, I did not try to pick him up...but he never tried to run, then I talked to him for a few minutes and walked away, I'm going to do this again for dinner and I will let you know

Awww There is improvement. Let me know how it goes, I hope he'll eventually come around

 

[Buggsy]

yes looks like youll have to start from scratch!

Keep puttin gyour hand in there, but dont go to pet him, let him get used to your hand, they gradually work up to petting, but dont pick him up. When hes comfortable with that pick him up (slowly from the side not above) and let him get used to that. If he runs away, just do it again or he will learn that running away/biting will get him left alone, but dont be brutal, keep everything very calm. Bribing with treats (such as butterworms) also helps! put one on the palm of your hand, that way he will associate your hand with treat!

 

[lyates]

Thank you, I will try this, I need all the advice I can get, I read somewhere to trying picking them up right after they go to sleep at night or early in the morning before they wake up...I tried that this morning and that did not go over well at all, he hissed at me and opened his wider than I've seen before, so I just let him be. I will not give up on my little guy
I'm a patient person, I have 2 cats, 2 dogs, 2 young boys, and 1 husband

Thankk again for the advice, I'll keep you updated

 

[Smid]

I've heard of people popping in a bit of food or a feeder when they open there mouth at you. Not sure if this worked as I lucked out with Smid and he only hissed at me once.

Hope things are continuing to get better for you!!

Liz

 

[lyates]

We actually did try this, when he opens his mouth at us, sticking some watermelon or a green bean in there, he eats it the food happily but then runs from the empty hand, tonight I tried to hand-feed him a worm and he looked at me like I'm stupid and closed his eyes, then I let it drop to the floor and very quickly ran up to it and gobbled it up then looked at me for more so again I tried to give it to him by hand and he just stood there waiting for me to drop it...so of course I did...

 

[EmpNortonII]

Lysates-

You say he was five inches when you got him? That's close enough to hatchling for all intents and purposes- I think.

Croaker was6 inchs when I got him back in March. He's now a foot long- we had our first night out tonight. He met a few dozen people and kept his cool the whole time. Just be patient with him, let him get to know you. You seem to be making lots of progress! Just keep it up, and before you know it, he'll be sleeping on your shoulder while you play video games and meeting ladies at the bar.