Skittish juvie... should I lay off him?

[Dreamwritten]

I just got a new 6 month old beardie yesterday. All things considered (car ride, new tank, lots of people hovering over him, etc) he's acclimated well to his new home: he's eaten twice, he's basking, and he's even let me hold him without any black beard or open-mouth displays. This is my first beardie, though, so I'm worried that I'm overstressing him.

He's calm once I have him on me or in my hand, but when I reach into the tank to pick him up, he absolutely FREAKS and darts around like crazy.I don't want him throwing himself around and getting hurt, but I don't want to back off once I start trying or else he'll learn that he can control me. I want to teach him that I'm the boss, but I'm still nervous about handling him. Is it just too early to be handling him? Should I give him time to get used to his environment first?

He's going to be traveling once more (I bought him in PA, set him up here in the tank temporarily for the weekend, but am driving him home to my permanent residence tonight in NY where he will be staying), so I guess I should lay off him and give him time to destress/acclimate?

He won't eat from my hands yet, which I know to be a bonding thing, so I'm not sure how to make him comfy with me. I noticed he's more skittish if I try to grab him from above than if I scoop my hand under him, but either way, he freaks out.

 

[luissandoval87]

From what I've read and experienced, it's better to give them a couple of days to get used to their new home and life. I know it's exciting to have a bearded dragon, but I think it's better to give him some time to adjust. You'll know when he's more comfortable because he'll eat like a pig once he's settled down. He'll have preferred basking spots as well as spots he just like to hang around in. As far as reaching from above, he's going to freaked out a little because they're natural predators are birds and so anything that is above their heads trying to grab them is deemed a predator which causes them to panic and frenzy. What has worked for me when I've worked with tanks is to put your hand in the tank and then approach them from the side. They're still going to get a little freaked when they see a big human hand coming in their tank, but they won't be as crazy, rather just cautious. Hope this helps.

 

[colmaslik]

When I got my first beardie I left her be for about 3 days.....but I also snuck my t-shirt inside her cage so she would recognize my scent so it wouldn't be alarming! It does take a week or even longer to adust to the new home....so don't be to nervous about it! I was a ball of nerves, but now I'm letting dilly run around, so I have new nerves to settle....You'll be okay and so will your beardie.

 

[Dreamwritten]

Thanks so much, both of you! This is just what I needed to hear. I think he will be just fine, seeing as he scarfed down three worms as soon as I put him in the tank! Can't be too scared if he is eating already, and he hasn't given me any ferocious beard or open-mouthed displays. I just handled him a bit more successfully, so I think it will just take time, like you said.

 

[sydsinger1012]

The first day i got mine i held it and its still fine!!!! Mine is still skid ish when i hold him (or try to get him). Your fine my Friend has had hers for 4 years and it just stop running away when some one trys to hold it!!! Just relax

 

[Dreamwritten]

The first day i got mine i held it and its still fine!!!! Mine is still skid ish when i hold him (or try to get him). Your fine my Friend has had hers for 4 years and it just stop running away when some one trys to hold it!!! Just relax

Good to know! I guess my main reason for stressing/worrying is that he's so fast, I don't want him to hurt himself or get away from me and go hiding somewhere I can't reach him. :|

 

[Spikey92]

Id really recommend to give him some time to settle diwn and THEN you can start handleing him more.Id also start slow with only pedding him or taking him out of his tank for a few minutes only and then increasing it.
Try to talk to him whenever you walk by his tank.Dont take him out of his tank every time.Talk to him or give him a little pet.Never come from above.Always from the side and avoid fast and sudden movements.If you try to pet hom and he runs away dint let him get away with it.Otherwise he'll learn that he can run away from you.But please do not chase him with your hand.That will only make him
scared of you.

It took us about 3-4 weeks to calm our baby down & now he is totally happy hanging out with us &just loves it.

 

[Dreamwritten]

Id really recommend to give him some time to settle diwn and THEN you can start handleing him more.Id also start slow with only pedding him or taking him out of his tank for a few minutes only and then increasing it.
Try to talk to him whenever you walk by his tank.Dont take him out of his tank every time.Talk to him or give him a little pet.Never come from above.Always from the side and avoid fast and sudden movements.If you try to pet hom and he runs away dint let him get away with it.Otherwise he'll learn that he can run away from you.But please do not chase him with your hand.That will only make him
scared of you.

It took us about 3-4 weeks to calm our baby down & now he is totally happy hanging out with us &just loves it.

I guess whats confusing me is how to "not let him get away with" running away without chasing him around with my hand. Im trying to find that difference between being assertive and being scary.

 

[luissandoval87]

I think being assertive works well with different types of animals, like dogs and cats; if you mean to show him that you're the boss. Bearded dragons are completely different. They're their own bosses as far as they're concerned. That's part of the reason why they're loner creatures, because they like to be in charge of things. You won't see a pack in the wild, because they would probably all be fighting to be leaders of the pack. The only thing you can do is tame him by handling him often once he's all settled in. It also depends on his personality. Some beardies will cling on to people's shirts all day long without fuss others don't like as much attention. Some people sleep with their bearded dragons as well. All this takes time a little bit of time, but soon enough i bet you'll hold him and he'll just chill on your arm or where you put him.

 

[Spikey92]

Id really recommend to give him some time to settle diwn and THEN you can start handleing him more.Id also start slow with only pedding him or taking him out of his tank for a few minutes only and then increasing it.
Try to talk to him whenever you walk by his tank.Dont take him out of his tank every time.Talk to him or give him a little pet.Never come from above.Always from the side and avoid fast and sudden movements.If you try to pet hom and he runs away dint let him get away with it.Otherwise he'll learn that he can run away from you.But please do not chase him with your hand.That will only make him
scared of you.

It took us about 3-4 weeks to calm our baby down & now he is totally happy hanging out with us &just loves it.

I guess whats confusing me is how to "not let him get away with" running away without chasing him around with my hand. Im trying to find that difference between being assertive and being scary.

I meant you shouldnt chase him like following him with your hand when he runs away.If he does,just keep your hand in the tank and then once he stopps running try to touch him again.If he starts running again just leave your hand in the tank(not moving) and then wait for him to calm down and keep trying until you can touch him.Even if its just a three second pet.Then slowly pull your hand out of his tank.

 

[Dreamwritten]

okay, makes sense. thanks!