Question on taming Baby Deeno

[DeenosMama]

My boyfriend and I have been having some major taming disagreements. Our beardie, baby Deeno, is about 4 months old. Now that Deeno is the only pet in our house, I see nothing wrong with just sitting with Deeno on my arm while I watch TV or read or whatever I'm doing around the house so he can get used to me however my boyfriend doesn't want me to just sit with him (setting him on my arm or my hand or shirt) because Deeno moves sometimes and he can be fast so when I sit with him, he wants me to have a hold on him so that he can't run from me however that's unomfortable for both Deeno and I, he spends the entire time squirming and his bottom turns VERY dark. I don't want to make him uncomfortable but I've never just sat and let him run if he wanted to so I have no idea if he WILL run too fast for me to catch him.

I would love to hear how others tamed their beardies and what I should do to tame baby Deeno. Thanks all!

 

[Linziehonn]

I have never tried to constrain any of my beardies when letting them get use to me. I'm pretty sure that would make all of them very angry lol.

I sit down with them and pet/hold them as long as they'll let me, then I let them run or put them back in their enclosure. Generally they do not try to get off my sofa but I watch every step they take in case they do. If they want on the floor I block off the rooms I don't want them in and just let them run, still watching their every move though.

Baby/juvenile beardies are extremely entergetic in most cases and would usually rather be exploring than being held. Most of the time they only explore until they start getting cold, then they seek out a cozy, dark hiding place to sleep.

So you could start off by during the day getting him out for a few minutes just to hold/pet him then put him back, unless you want to let him run. Then at night after the lights go off get him out and let him go to sleep in your hand or on your chest. All it takes is covering their little faces for them to sleep. You could also invest in a leash to help you feel more comfortable with him running around on your sofa/floor.

You can't force bonding with these guys, but when they do bond with you and trust you, it is SO rewarding. Constraining him and making him angry really isn't the way to gain his trust. Just do a little at a time, he will get there, I promise you!

 

[DeenosMama]

Thank you!! You answered my major question (is it okay to let him explore my home). I can't wait to try it out!

Currently, our only real bonding time is after his baths because that's when he's most relaxed and comfortable with me but I'm afraid I'm bathing him too much just so we can get that bonding time. I currently bath him once a day for about 15 minutes each time. I am not sure if there is a limit on how often they can take baths.

 

[Linziehonn]

Awe, that's really sweet, bathing him to have bonding time, I love it! I have one that gets a bath every single morning because that's where he goes potty. I've been doing that for a year and a half now and he's perfectly healthy, just VERY hydrated! lol Nothing wrong with a super hydrated beardie!

Exploring the house is great exercise for him, just be mindful of the little things you would want him to eat or lick...basically like a toddler!