So aggressive and I am so distraught

[PudgysMom]

that stinks for both of you. Their bites really do hurt - I almost had the tip of my finger removed by one of our beardies: it was a feeding accident. You've got a long way to go with him. :shock: Chief bit my pants a few days ago when I was holding Papa Smurf. He just went up and BIT my pants in anger. :?

It is amazing they feeling emotions like humans. Fear, anger, jealousy...! He bit the blankie earlier. Geeze Louise!

I wonder if there's a beardie whisperer. LOL!

 

[Irwinshealth]

I wonder if there's a beardie whisperer. LOL!

:laughing6: :laughing6: :laughing6: That would be so neat!!

 

[AHBD]

Aww, I'm sorry you're having such a tough time with Doc. I remember your threads about Pudgy, all that you and she went through. I hope that this bite doesn't cause you any trouble, you've been through alot with your health problems. I have one suggestion, please follow it. You really need a thick pair of work gloves. Please get yourself a pair ASAP....your finger needs to heal, and you don't want a repeat. If it gets too much to bathe him at the moment, just a light spray [ a direct stream ] with a spray bottle on his nose is enough for a drink. He may not go for it right away, but if he gets thirsty, he will. If the water puddles on the enclosure floor, he may bend down +instictively drink...and if it's too much just mop it with some papertowel. If you have a screen top tank, the humidity is not really a problem at all. Also, you can offer wet greens to will help keep him hydrated. I hope that mean old Doc will turn into " Docile Doc " in a few months, or even weeks. You're a very patient person.

 

[PudgysMom]

Aww, I'm sorry you're having such a tough time with Doc. I remember your threads about Pudgy, all that you and she went through. I hope that this bite doesn't cause you any trouble, you've been through alot with your health problems. I have one suggestion, please follow it. You really need a thick pair of work gloves. Please get yourself a pair ASAP....your finger needs to heal, and you don't want a repeat. If it gets too much to bathe him at the moment, just a light spray [ a direct stream ] with a spray bottle on his nose is enough for a drink. He may not go for it right away, but if he gets thirsty, he will. If the water puddles on the enclosure floor, he may bend down +instictively drink...and if it's too much just mop it with some papertowel. If you have a screen top tank, the humidity is not really a problem at all. Also, you can offer wet greens to will help keep him hydrated. I hope that mean old Doc will turn into " Docile Doc " in a few months, or even weeks. You're a very patient person.

Thank you, SO MUCH. Yes. I am getting work gloves first thing in the morning! I was going to use oven mits, but they're too clumsy. Definitely, will. I promise! No more bloody fingers! YIKES. Yes, he has a screen top and I do wet his greens. I'll try the spray bottle, too.

Thanks for your encouragement. It means a lot!

Regarding the beardie whisperer, I actually know someone who does pet readings. Hmmmm... couldn't hurt LOL.

 

[Esther19]

I'm sorry that I have no words of wisdom for you. Just wanted to let you know that I'm really sorry you got bit.

 

[PudgysMom]

I'm sorry that I have no words of wisdom for you. Just wanted to let you know that I'm really sorry you got bit.

Thanks, Esther. I know this sounds crazy, but I think he knows I'm sad. He's calmed down a bit today. I'm trying to shake it, because I don't want him to get stressed from my sadness vibes.

Who knows what I'll get tomorrow, but he's been curious watching me do things. He's looking at me, but not with so much stink eye. LOL

 

[Esther19]

That's promising. Let's hope he's learned his lesson. :wink:

 

[ShannyBeard]

I'm sorry that I have no words of wisdom for you. Just wanted to let you know that I'm really sorry you got bit.

Thanks, Esther. I know this sounds crazy, but I think he knows I'm sad. He's calmed down a bit today. I'm trying to shake it, because I don't want him to get stressed from my sadness vibes.

Who knows what I'll get tomorrow, but he's been curious watching me do things. He's looking at me, but not with so much stink eye. LOL

Don't take his bite personally. Thankfully, beardies don't usually act like that! You know you can bring him around. It's just going to take a lot of love. I'm so glad he has calmed down a bit. Talk to him constantly and take your time...and watch your fingers. :shock:

Poor beardie. I wonder what he has been through that would make him want to defend himself. :|

 

[PudgysMom]

Poor beardie. I wonder what he has been through that would make him want to defend himself.

Me too.

He seemed okay this morning. I just gave him space, put his greens in and talked to him really gently for just a second.

Step by step...

 

[Beardiebri]

I never had this problem with my beardie. I raised him from a youngester and he is a sweetheart. But my brother has a younger iguana and he takes good care of it but he doesn't spend much time with it so it is very aggressive. (but iguanas are known to be more aggressive than bearded dragons) He will hiss at you, bite you, and whip is tail at you (which hurts like you have no idea! has left open cuts on me!). What we do when handling it and when it shows agressive behavior I will list below.

Biting and hissing - when we hold him or go to pick him and we see him going to bite us, we flick him gently on the mouth until he closes his mouth and doesn't open it again. All it takes is a couple gentle flicks under the chin and when he stops fighting with you and stops biting you - you stop flicking. Trust me, they learn from that fast.

The whipping of the tail doesn't apply to a bearded dragon but for the other aggressive behaviors all I can say is a lot of time and effort to spend time with him. You can start by petting him and hand feeding him in his cage. Maybe letting your hand hang out in his cage so he gets used to you. Remember - any biting or hissing you flick him!

Some might think the flicking is 'abuse' or 'cruel' but when I say flick I mean a flick so soft that a person can hardly feel it. And if you are constant with the flicking when he bites/hisses they will learn!

 

[ShannyBeard]

Iguanas are definitely beasts of a different temperament. I've been tail whipped by one and it made me flinch every time I had to deal with the iguana again. Lol.


How is Mr. Attitude? Have things been calmer these last few days? You still have all your fingers?

 

[PudgysMom]

Oh yes, iguanas can be mean. But I still <3 them.

He is better.

Guys, I had his temps wrong! I feel terrible. I was using the temp gun wrong. I got a digital thermometer with a probe and I was in shock. Thank goodness his cool side was okay at 80 degrees F, but his basking spot was 130! :shock: I immediately went to the store and switched the 75W for a 50W bulb. It is at 101.3 right now. I am still adjusting. Cool side is 79.3.

He seems to be doing better. Look what he allowed yesterday after a little hesitation! I had to take him out to clean his tank. After I cleaned it...we made progress I am so happy! OH !! And he ate 99% of his greens yesterday!

I know it was just one time, but I will take it! Thank you all again for your support. My finger is healing nicely, too!

 

[ShannyBeard]

Congrats! That picture makes me so happy for the both of you. You are not the first to cook a dragon at 130 degrees. We had a travel tank oops last year.

Imagine all those people who post on here who think they are a genius estimating basking temps. :roll: It happens all the time like they are experts trained in the art of distinguishing 95 degrees from 115 degrees.

I'm not so good with technology...I probably would have done the same thing. So glad you figured it out. I'm sure it was causing him some stress. :silent:

And so glad to see him cuddle.

 

[PudgysMom]

THANKS! I am just taking it day by day, though. Today he might be Mr. Attitude again, LOL...but at least he didn't hiss when I put his food in his tank!

I am glad I am not the only one who has had a fail with temps. YIKES. I still feel so badly about it. No wonder he's been grumpy!

 

[ShannyBeard]

THANKS! I am just taking it day by day, though. Today he might be Mr. Attitude again, LOL...but at least he didn't hiss when I put his food in his tank!

I am glad I am not the only one who has had a fail with temps. YIKES. I still feel so badly about it. No wonder he's been grumpy!

I had to board Smurf at a reptile shop in Jan when we went on vacation and I left him with a UVB, basking, a CHE for nights and a accurite probe thermometer left in his viv. Oh and written instructions. I went to pick him up and it was 80 degrees in the back office and they had his basking and CHE both on. When reached in to pick him up it was literally broiling in there. I felt so horrible about it. Who knows how long he suffered in a 20 long with a 50 watt basking bulb and a 60 watt CHE on at the same time. :shock: