not wanting to be handled

[lizbeth5655]

Got my 2 and a half year old male a little over a week ago. His previous owners said he loves to be handled. But from what I've seen, he isnt that fond of it. Since he is so large and he is my first, i want to make sure im doing everything right. i try giving him baths, and letting him run around. everytime i try and bathe him, he just sits in the water and wont move. when i put him down to try and let him run around, he does the same thing, he wont move unless he is scared and then he will take off. i have noticed that when he is on the floor, he doesnt like when i try to pick him up, he normally puffs up and turns super black. today when i went to pick him up off the floor he turned more black than i've ever seen him and even opened his mouth. kinda freaked me out a bit

any suggestions on why he may have gotten more aggressive since i bought him or what i should do to make him a cuddle bug?
is it too much for a girl to want to snuggle with her dragon??? :?:

 

[mdtalley22]

Your bearded dragon is probably still getting used to having new surroundings and a new owner, shouldn't be something to worry about. Just keep up with trying to hold him a little bit each day and making sure you talk to your beardie, etc so that he wil eventually get used to you! Some people also suggest to put in an old t-shirt of yours or something along those lines so he can get used to your smell faster...Just give it time and I am sure the beardie will warm up to ya!

 

[Grogshla]

agreed
let your dragon settle in.
It is best to place your hand in his enclosure hold it there for a few minutes then take it out
then the next step is to hold him inside his tank for a few minutes.
then you can hold him outside his tank
try and handle your dragon a few times a day for about 10-15 minutes per time.

Dont handle your dragon just after he ate. Let him settle for an hour or 2. At night when your dragon is tired might be a good time to start to get him used to a hand in his enclosure

 

[Bwalter]

I found that about bed time for my baby is good for him. He falls asleep on my hand and I rub his back for a while, tonight he didn't want to go back in his tank, he kept trying to hang on to my hand, but I got him in, covered in his binkie and off to dream land.

 

[JAE]

And I quote Axel Rose, " All we need is a little Patience"
Just give him some time. Beardies are very tempermental and take some time to get used to things. Dont change his cage around dont sit there and stare at him all day and dont fuss, and feed him all that he'll eat lol he'll be fat, happy and healthy in no time. Ive worked with many reptiles and came to notice that your less likely to get bit or have "issues" with a well feed animal.
I have a few dragons that we're "vicious" when I first got them. 2 of them the previous owner couldnt handle them. With in a few weeks they were jumping into my hand. It just takes patience.
Ive heard talk of t shirts and all this crazy stuff. No offense to anyone but its a reptile not a puppie. Wouldnt you get mad if someone was always reaching into your house and ripping you out by your armpits through the roof? Or what if everynight someone stuck a dirty t shirt in in your bed with you? Ewe! I know id be tight.
Just love him and give hime time. He'll let you know when hes ready. As humans we want everything now. Let your beardie teach you.
Jae