Sassy Beardie Issues

[krystalnature]

Hello! So, I've recently been having some issues with my male bearded dragon. Backstory: I used to hold him a lot, but I held him a little less when I moved until I eventually stopped because I got cats and was having problems balancing (and other life stuffs). Before I completely stopped holding him, he had the tendency of constantly running away from me (was not interested in sitting on my lap, shoulder or hands at all).

So, just recently, he's been incredibly restless in his tank and doing something called "glass surfing". I don't know what is causing him stress. The first day, I tried to put the leash on him (fussing the whole time) and took him outside because it was finally warm. Barely stayed still and actually tried to run from me when we went outside. Attempt one failed. Second day, he was restless. I took him out, locked up the cats, and let him roam the apartment. His beard turned black, but otherwise, he was fine. He ran towards a frosted window and I assumed perhaps he wanted light. I proceeded to try and put the leash on him again, more gently than the first, and he ran, so it got stuck on his legs. When I went to remove it, he hissed and lunged at me. I am definitely not trying the leash again for a long time, but I can't hold him enough to take him out and enjoy sunlight, so I suppose it would have to wait?

I took him to the vet about two weeks before this. Vet said he was great. I haven't changed anything in his enclosure except adding a branch for him to full body bathe under his UVB light. His heat lamp is fine. I've been feeding him almost primarily mustard greens, but when I gave him some strawberries and blueberries the other day - not interested at all. He's been eating some superworms, but hasn't really been touching the crickets. I mist him at least once or twice a day. He doesn't run away, but he doesn't soak under it like he did sometimes. I'm a little at my wit's end. I don't think he is big enough for me to have to change the tank YET.

Any ideas or help? :/ A friend of mine suggested I hand feed him (which I do quite often with veggies AND the worms) and pet him in the tank (he doesn't mind me petting him while he is inside his tank) and try to hold him for a minute a day or so.

 

[Darthedraggo]

My biggest suggestion is to continue trying to hold him. Reintroduce consistent handling, so he gets used to you again. My beardie gets pretty antsy when I take time away from holding her, I usually go into a small, confined room, like the bathroom, and let her run for a little and climb on me. It'll help get their energy out, while having them be close to you.

 

[krystalnature]

My biggest suggestion is to continue trying to hold him. Reintroduce consistent handling, so he gets used to you again. My beardie gets pretty antsy when I take time away from holding her, I usually go into a small, confined room, like the bathroom, and let her run for a little and climb on me. It'll help get their energy out, while having them be close to you.

Okay! I'll definitely try that. He needs a few baths anyways, so it should work, thanks!

 

[swimchicidee]

Sounds like the little guy is jealous and wants some love. If you are sitting and watching tv/ working on a computer, you can try having him chill with you, I sewed up a fleece sleeping bag with some $.96 scrap from walmart for mine so it can sleep on me while I watch a movie. If my bd weren't notorious for pooing in the bath, I would be willing to take baths with it. I can't wait until summer again, we are going to have fun with a baby pool and I am going to create a floating raft from noodles for it to chill on this winter. Super stoked! They love adventures though so if you are on a trip to petsmart for supplies, get a leash and bring him with you! The girls at mine love to say hi and the kids get a kick out of it. There are ways to incorporate time with them while still being productive

 

[kingofnobbys]

My biggest suggestion is to continue trying to hold him. Reintroduce consistent handling, so he gets used to you again. My beardie gets pretty antsy when I take time away from holding her, I usually go into a small, confined room, like the bathroom, and let her run for a little and climb on me. It'll help get their energy out, while having them be close to you.

I agree , more quality contact time with him , maybe 5 minutes at a time and give food treats each time..


You mentioned you got some cat (in the house hold lately too) …. this is DEFINITELY contributing the situation
> if they have access to the room his tank is in THEY WILL BE stalking him , this is stressing him badly and they are danger to him (never allow the cats even in the same room he is in EVER)
> are you handling the cats the trying to handle him ? - he will be smelling these predators on your hands, arms, and clothes and he is acting defensively because he is terrified , wash your hands and arms and change your clothes after handling the cats.
> my advise is choose between keeping cats or keeping a bearded dragon (or any other pet lizard) , I'd get rid of the cats (as they are more bother than they are worth and eventually the dragon WILL be attacked (and killed or very seriously injured and made extremely sick).

 

[kingofnobbys]

Sounds like the little guy is jealous and wants some love. If you are sitting and watching tv/ working on a computer, you can try having him chill with you, I sewed up a fleece sleeping bag with some $.96 scrap from walmart for mine so it can sleep on me while I watch a movie. If my bd weren't notorious for pooing in the bath, I would be willing to take baths with it. I can't wait until summer again, we are going to have fun with a baby pool and I am going to create a floating raft from noodles for it to chill on this winter. Super stoked! They love adventures though so if you are on a trip to petsmart for supplies, get a leash and bring him with you! The girls at mine love to say hi and the kids get a kick out of it. There are ways to incorporate time with them while still being productive

It's not the dragon is jealous , it's that the dragon knows there dangerous predators in the house now and he's terrified and highly stressed by this.
How would you feel if you were forced to live in pit with a wild polar bear , or a wild lion , or wild tiger ?
…. this is the situation this dragon is confronted with . Apply some common sense .

 

[Drache613]

Hello,

I do agree, he may be stressed with having cats in the house. They are natural predators of
them & cause a lot of accidents. Definitely be careful if you have the cats in the same room.
If you keep trying with a leash, he will eventually get used to having it on.

Tracie