Inexperienced handler

[rammsteinfreaky]

I've had my beardie (doku) for over 2 years, but when it comes to handling him i'm far from perfect. My beardie loves it when i stroke his head open his viv and talk to him, even a stroke on the back down his tails seems to be fine, but when i grab him he gets nervous. He's not aggressive and has never bitten me, guess he's just fightened. The few times i've had him out of the viv he's bolted. Can anyone give me any tips? i know this is my fault
i don't wanna hold him and get him stressed incase he gets injuried, but i want him to get used to me.


p.s encase anyone is thinking i neglect my beardie this is not the case, he is well looked after x

Thank you

Lucy + Doku

 

[EmJagsz]

Just take it slow. Be extra gentle when you go to take him out, and when you have him out, sit somewhere and have him on your lap and pet and talk to him to calm him down. If he want to bolt still, move to a bed and let him run around on there. Every now and then bring him back to you etc. Just spend time with him every day and he should come around!

 

[Twobeardieguy]

I agree, the more time you spend with him the better he will become! Also they love to sit on the shoulder! Good luck..

 

[rammsteinfreaky]

hello, just a quick update, doku has started coming out of his tank and wondering around my room, he walks out of his tank on to my hand fine, still a litle jumpy tho i have to lower him quickly as there is a fair drop from his tank to my floor.
He really enjoys running around and crawling all over my xbox lol, however i'm having trouble getting him back into his tank, any suggestions? thanks

 

[Twobeardieguy]

Lucy that is a typical beardie. He is like that because he now sees how it is to be out and handled. So he is coming along and sounds like your doing fine! :wink:

 

[Aznrainbowdime]

Have you ever tried the t-shirt trick ? wear a t shirt all day and put it in his viv... it works like magic ! Worked with mine

 

[rammsteinfreaky]

Have you ever tried the t-shirt trick ? wear a t shirt all day and put it in his viv... it works like magic ! Worked with mine

no i haven't where is the best place to put it in his viv? thank you

 

[Freeie]

Once they get used to it and love exploring they hate to go back in their viv. Heck some of mine try and escape all the time lol

 

[Aznrainbowdime]

Have you ever tried the t-shirt trick ? wear a t shirt all day and put it in his viv... it works like magic ! Worked with mine

no i haven't where is the best place to put it in his viv? thank you

You can put it any where. When i first started doing it.. I would just place it in the corner of her viv... then the 2nd day, I actually wrapped her in it hehe... after that.. the rest was history !!!

 

[rammsteinfreaky]

thanks i'll defo give it a try. I had to get doku out of his tank the other day whilst my dad was putting tiles in it. He wondered around my room for an hour he was fine even with all the noise, and he sat on me, think we're finally making progress he was sooo good, was really impressed.

 

[Twobeardieguy]

That is great to hear! Keep us posted.

 

[masterlock]

My beardie ("Captain Jack") was very easy to handle for the first 6 months and then suddenly become feisty. Since I got him when he was already 2 months old I'm assuming he was going through puberty or something and so I attribute it to that.

 

[rammsteinfreaky]

think me and duko are getting there he's coming out of his tank alot more, having a good run around my bedroom, even had a cuddle the other day, will upload some pictures when i get my camera back.

 

[Flowox]

so did you do the t-shirt thing? Would love to get more feedback on that. I may have to give it a shot myself :wink:

 

[yateja2]

I am new to beardies, my son just got his on the 9th. I am going to try putting a t shirt of my son's in the viv to see if it helps him get more comfortable with Garrett's scent. Have you tried it yet? So glad yours is coming along, gives me hope! Ours is still skittish, but getting more used to me having my hands in the tank. He let me stroke his head and tummy yesterday, and ran away but only a few inches then stopped.