My beardie freaks out in his bath, Suggestions to ease his b

[beardieguy83]

I need suggestions on how to make my beardie relax when its time to bathe. My little one holds its breath and tries to float but I only put just enought for it to walk and put its head under water. He poops in the water, but then just looks like it wants to get out. once it poops i change the water and put clean warm water, still it freaks out and wants to get out . I've seen beardies on youtube and they enjoy it, mine is scared. Suggestions Please.

 

[newbeardie79]

I'm still new at being a beardie slave (lol) but my girl does the same thing when we put her in the actual bath TUB...BUT, if we put her in the sink and kinda hold her underher belly and pet her while speaking softly, then as she relaxes, we remove our hand and she REALLY enjoys the warm water and eventually starts to swim. (As much as she can as she is nearly as big as the sink! :lol: ) The only thing I can suggest is try to slowly introduce him/her to the sink with lots of comforting words and gentle petting. Good luck!!

 

[beardieguy83]

I dont actually put mine in the BATH TUB, i use a tupper wear, the ones you use to take lunch to work. Its about as big as a size 10 Jordan box. 8) I do hold it while its bathing, and I make sure that it can walk so its not deep at all.

 

[shimmeriing]

My beardie did the same thing, he didn't like it at all. Black bearded and all. I gave it another try, and he was fine..
Just keep doing it, it's something new to him..he'll eventually come around.

 

[Bootz]

Actually, I've had pretty much the same trouble with all my animals except my turtles(duh). **The dog and cats belong to my wife, erego they aren't mine.** Its really a surprise that even my Iguana doesn't like the bath since they are supposed to be excellent swimmers. It takes a while to get him and Jack and Jill used to the water enough for them to play around in it.

 

[Seven65]

Nef hates baths, but he's been a lot better lately. He used to either run around like mad or hold his breath and play dead, freaked me right out the first couple times, once he was in such a panic he actually did a full backflip! I found if I just put my finger out for him to hold while he's in the water he clams right down. Hope that helps.

 

[beardieguy83]

yeah, mine plays dead and it freaks me out. Im like damm i just got you, how you die so fast on me? Ill just keep trying little by little

 

[TheDragonKeepers]

Kyle used to have quite a serious problem with water, freaking out, leaping and getting stressed. It took quite some time to snap her out of it, but I realised half of the problem was (even though the water was shallow) she would puff up to float - causing her to become unstable and unable to reach the floor. I quickly sussed picking her up and tipping her over until she had to deflate to roll over in my hands - and then popping her back in the bath. She twigged that her feet will reach and she's finally got over it.

Bathtimes have become fun at last.

 

[beardieguy83]

I gave Zues/Medusa a shower and he still freaks out. I left him/her in their for about 15 minutes and he started not to run, he/she still not comfy but I think little by little he/she'll get the hang of it, its good to know that mine isnt the only one who acts ca-ray-zy in its time of bathing.

 

[TheDragonKeepers]

Some tips I can give you are:

Water has to be nice and warm - not hot enough to hurt your fingers, but warm enough to be comfortable even for you.

Put an old towel in the bottom of the bath - adds traction for feet on slippery surfaces!

Use each stage as a good thing - get them used to the idea of the towel (most dragons can't resist a "beardie burrito"), and then get them used to the empty bath, then a little bit of water, licks of water and then a proper swimmy bath. Try favourite treats to keep them in a positive mindframe too. "Ooh look, this is a good place to find waxworms!"