My beardie freaks out when I take her outside

[yentlequible]

I bought her when she was a year old around last august or so, and never took her outside since it was so cold where I live. A few weeks ago I took her out to see how she liked it and it didn't go to well. As soon as I set her down, she ran like it was life or death. I have never seen her move that fast in the entire time I have had her. Luckily I was able to get her partially cornered and pick her up, but she would do everything possible to get out of my hands. During all this, she was being very aggressive with her beard fully flared out and mouth open and would even try to jump at me to probably try and scare me. Defensive tactic I assume... I have only taken her out a couple times since then, but without setting her down, and even in my hands she will start to show signs of agitation towards me. This stuff only happens outside. Inside, she is perfectly calm and never shows any sign of aggression whatsoever.

What can I do to stop this? I want to be able to let her get some natural sunlight without the fear of her running away. Is there a way to tame her? I have been building an outdoor cage for her to use once the weather gets a little bit warmer, but this probably won't stop her outdoor aggression.

 

[holnik]

i do not know how to help with the agressive ness but you could take her outside with a beardie leash and maybe then after being outside more she will be calm. the leash can be bought or handmade. to make one buy a pack of medium hair scruncies(thin) and make sure they can fit around her neck and under arms. then take 2. put 1 around her neck and the other under her arms. then at the back you can take a clip attached to a string and bring the hair ties together.... then you have a sucure leash so she wont run away

 

[ATLBeardedDragons]

Its just instinct. Some are calm and collective... while others' Pupils Constrict and then its "SEE-YA!" time. Its just a way to feel secure and take cover from preditors. They tend to freak out from dark shadows above simulating birds/hawks/vultures above.

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www.AtlantaBeardedDragons.com

sincerely,
ABD

 

[yentlequible]

Ok thanks for the replies. I might try out that beardie leash. Sounds pretty interesting and should be fun to see what she does.

 

[diamc]

Moved here from General Discussion forum.
You actually have to get them conditioned to going outside, you have to move slowly. Even you standing over your beardie causes a shadow reminding her of predators so she reacts defensively. I also would recommend a leash so that you can keep a close eye on her as there have been a few instances of hawks grabbing a beardie in an instant, one even with a leash on.

Every year, I have to start at square one again. I put one of my beardies down in grass and under a tree where she feels sheltered and let her meander around there so that she feels secure. I make the first visit outside a short one just letting her get used to the sights and sounds in the shaded area. Each time I set her down in the same spot and when she is ready, she moves into a sunny area and then starts moving around more. The main thing to remember is that you don't want to cause a shadow overhead. I make sure I squat down, set her down and then sit alongside of her. When it's time to come back in, I pick her up from a sitting down position and then stand up and put her on my chest. It has made a HUGE difference doing it that way with all of our beardies. Good luck.

 

[Gail]

I haven't had a chance to take Jupiter outside yet but I do let him sit in the window and watch the birds and cars go by so he can get used to the movement. I've found that birds are what really set panic in and I think it helps if the dragon get to see them often and gets accustom to their movements. Jupiter doesn't even flinch anymore when the small bird come in to the feeder right outside the window.

 

[Lianne]

I had my dragons out for the first time last year (like you we got them at the end of the summer the previous year), they were pretty nervous at first so I kept them on my lap for the first view visits and then sat them on a table keeping a very close eye on them (at first they sat very still, but in time they'd wander around a bit), and after a few weeks they loved it out there. I did try a leash, the female was fine in it, but the male hated it and would puff up and then slip out of it!

I took them out for the first time this year last week and they were both very nervous again so they've clearly forgotten about the outside world! Interestingly, having a male a female we can't normally have them both out at the same time without going mental trying to get at each other, but outside they're fine, kind of like being aware of pretadors takes over from the mating instict.

So I'd say just stick with it, she'll get used to it in time.

Lianne