One person pet?

[nikipop]

Ok so... We just spent a fortune getting everything set up for our new dragon and we did this all for my son for his bday. He has wanted a lizard for
So long. I have been scouring the forums day and night to make sure that all is correct and now (after adjustments) he has a good setup. Here is my issue. The dragon is only allowing me to pick him up without bearding up or hissing or stressing out. Of course I have my son feed all the crickets and try to hand feed him and only my son has bathed him but for whatever reason he seems to have issue with him. He runs from him and beards up and Even hissed today. My son is 14. It is getting worse and not better. When he sees my son coming towards the tank he runs to hide. The dragon (mufasa or George) depending on who is talking to him has only been with us a week or so but I am worried that he will just get worse in behavior towards my son. When I tried to put a shirt in there of his he pooped on it. So if this is the case as much as inhate to think of the idea. The pet store does have a return policy. Is this the way to go or will he even out and start to like him? Btw he tolerates my husband petting him just not my son. He is appx 5 months old from what the pet store says. I don't what else to do. He is not supposed to be my pet. (although now i want one of my own when we can afford it)

 

[LindseyDawn]

It does take time for them to come around. Pet stores generally don't handle the animals, so your dragon probably just isn't used to human contact. It'll just take time, but I think he'll get used to your son.

 

[beardie parents]

You could have your son try holding him at the end of the day when he's (the beardie) is tired and ready for bed.

 

[nikipop]

Thank u for the replies here are some of the thins I have tried. I have had my son do the following -
T-shirt - he pooped on it.
Feeding him - he won't eat from his hands and show his beard ( eats from my hand just fine)
Bathing him - he freaks out unless my hand is in the water as well as my sons hand
Holding him After his bath in a washcloth - he beards and his tail goes dark
Holding him in the morning - beards and hisses
Holding him before bed - beards and hisses

All of these things above I can do successfully and my husband can pet him and pick him up with no problems. That is why I am worried he just won't come around to like my son. I am wondering if this happens... Are some just one person pets?

 

[Gail]

Some dragons are kinda picky about who they allow to interact with them. I had one male who wouldn't let anyone else hold him and he wouldn't take food from my daughter.
There is a good chance he will come around but your son would need to be the only care taker. As long as the dragon has a choice between who he likes and who he doesn't like he will keep choosing you.
I know most people dislike the idea of exchanging a dragon but I don't think its such a bad idea in your case. I'd take you son the the pet store and let him handle the other dragons, see if one really stands out to him.

 

[FranktheTank]

This may sound like a weird question, but does your son wear cologne or sprays or anything like that? We had a similar issue with our male beardie Frank. He is the nicest sweetest most docile dragon, except when one of our close friends came over. If our friend got close to the tank or was walking towards Frank he would beard at him and run away. This went on for a while until one day our friend stopped by after a bike ride and he didn't have his cologne on, Well wouldn't you know Frank was his best buddy! Not a single issue since then! Of course it took us a while to come to the realization that it was the cologne!

-Kaleen

 

[EmpNortonII]

Have your son put a worn shirt in the little guy's cage. Sometimes, it helps beardies to adjust to a person if the lizard gets used to the person's scent.

 

[nikipop]

He doesn't wear cologne and I made Him wash his hands each time before he handled him (same soap I use) the shirt trick didn't work because the little guy went and pooped on it as soon as we put it in the cage. I spent alot of time reading other posts about handling a new little one and tried alot of these suggestions. Yesterday we added a hammock for the little guy and I elwas hovering over his cage with my hands inside and he stayed right on top of his log which is only about 6 in from the top in front and right next to where I was at. He just watched me from his spot the whole time. He has no problems with me at all. But when my son just walks up as soon as he sees him coming he runs to the corner.

 

[Kalyn876]

I agree with Gail and everything she said:

Either your son needs to be the only care taker until the dragon takes a shining to him or in a case like this where you bought him for your son, I would probably exchange him for one that takes a liking to your son right of the bat.

These kinds of attitude adjustments can be handled it just takes a lot of time and patience.

Kalyn

 

[nikipop]

Thank you for all your replies. It's unfortunate to think I will have to take him back but I think this is going to have to be our only decision. We can only afford the total care for one right now and my son is real active in sports and I am a stay at home mom so the beardie will see me alot even if I kept handling to a minimum. Thanks again for all of yor help. I will let all know how it goes.

 

[Goonie]

Sorry to hear that your beardie is being so picky.
Sometimes it's something as simple as the way they're picked up or strength of the person's hands while being held. They also are very keen in sensing fear, so if your son has any reservations in holding him, then he'll never be allowed by mufasa's terms.
What if either you or your husband held him for a bit, then hand him off to your son? Instead of holding him in mid air, have your son sit on the couch and hold mufasa on his chest.

 

[nikipop]

So we went ahead and took mufasa back and exchanged him for another beardie who seems to like my son. We had him hold all of them and this one fell asleep in his hand and did not want to get down. He had to keep holding him with his left while holding the others with right. So I think he/she will be a good match. I am worried a little though because he is so little. He might be 5 inches from head to tail and he looks very skinny. My son (Nicholas) is naming him/her Cross. Here is a pic ...

 

[beardie parents]

He's cute! Just remember not to feed him crickets that are too large, stay with pinheads or maybe a shade larger.

 

[crazyceed]

:study:

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