Is this normal

[BertieTheBeardie]

My beardie has gotten into the habit of hiding in her hide intil I come downstairs in the morning but she only puts her head outside and she only comes out when I feed her. Is this normal? Afterwards she normally does bask.
She tolerates being stroked but always looks a bit annoyed first but gradually becomes more relaxed, if you stroke her on the head she is immediately relaxed and shuts her eyes.

I have a run which is bearded dragon proof and she loves it and is always running around and follows my dogs when they walk around the run but when I try and take her out she stands up puffs out and hisses yet was ok with me putting her in, does this mean she just didn't want to come out? She's never really loved being picked up, I pick her up daily and she's stroked but then after a few minutes she wants to go back inside, what should I do? She lets me stroke and hand feed her etg but she just doesn't like being held.

 

[CooperDragon]

Yeah it's pretty normal for them to be slow and grumpy in the mornings. I have a routine of waking my guy up (lights go on slowly an hour or so before I get up) and he sits under his basking lamp in the kitchen before eating a bit and pooping. If that routine is changed (on weekends sometimes) he will stay in his hide and be sleepy for longer.


As far as handling goes, they don't all like it as much as others so if she seems upset by it I'd leave her alone more. She may get more used to it over time but I wouldn't force it too much as long as she's content otherwise and allows a reasonable amount of handling.

 

[BertieTheBeardie]

Ok thank you! I'll reduce handling and when I don't handle her I'll just hand feed etg so I still bond with her but I'll be careful so she doesn't get used to me handfeeding.