Should I be worried?

[edmek55555]

I have had my bearded dragon for a few months now and he absolutely hates me. He tries to run from me any chance he gets. He will let me pick him up without a fuss but as soon as I have him outside of his viv he will do everything he can to try to get away from me.

I let him explore to soothe his innate curiosity but even after checking everything out he is not content with me holding him. I thought he was coming around yesterday. I was cleaning out his viv and while I let it dry he hung out with me without a fuss. He stayed on my chest while I walked around the house and chilled out on my lap for a good hour.

However today when I took him out he was fussier than ever. I can normally take him outside to get some sun and he wont budge but today he tried to make a break for it. He wont stay on me for anything today. He even tried to jump from my chest while I was walking around with him which he never does.

As I am typing this he fell asleep in between my legs after being a pain and kept running away and I had to keep fetching him. I cant tell if he was actually starting to warm up to me or is more scared of me than ever.

 

[Jhepler1440]

Mine is exactly the same way... One day he sat on a pillow and watched Netflix with me for a good hour or so and the next day he bit me when I tried to pick him up! Because dragons have such personality, they may be moody... it's usually not something to worry about...if your dragon is 6 months or younger, just keep trying to work with him a few times a week, but still giving him space... If he is older than 6 months, it may take a bit more coaxing.. be quiet in the ways that you approach him, keeping your hand low to the ground.. if he squirms when you pick him up, don't put him down until he is calm... Offer treats for good behavior and keep at it!!

 

[traildrifterphalanx]

All dragons have different personalities. Some are super chill and some are super wild. You mentioned having him a few months, is he still very young?
He may eventually settle down as he ages, or he may not...

My first dragon was a wild baby but grew to be very relaxed, though she did have health problems..

My second is like a rag doll. Can be very active or very chill with the flip of a switch.

My new baby is just wild and curious, but sleeps like a rock, so I handle her most often at night. She's pretty good about not running off and can appreciate just chilling, but is still skittish.

 

[PensBurgh]

I'm in the same boat! Ive had mine for about 3 months now and he's probably a "teen" if I were to guess; not a baby but definitely not an adult. He does the same thing. He hates being held and just squirms and squirms. I've noticed if it give him pets before I pick him up, he squirms less. I just bought a harness for him to let him roam outside to see if that will help.

 

[Mysty]

As an owner of a fairly highly strung dragon who doesn't like to be handled and does leaps of faith if given the opportunity, I find that you simply have to adapt to these... er... quirks.

Things that work for 20m/o Robert are:

1. Letting out of the viv in the morning and afternoon to prevent pent up energy.

2. Being very calm yet persistent when 'catching' him to put back into the viv. E.g. if you have him then he struggles, letting him go and trying again in a minute or so.

3. Coaxing him to you with a trail of treats. The first time he was willingly sitting with me was when my partner placed bits of butternut squash across the room and onto my trouser, top etc. Worked a treat. XD

It can be rewarding to build a bond with such a dragon. Don't get me wrong, he's not snuggly. That's what my 2nd beardie, Steve, is for. XD

Best of luck.