Typhoid Mary!

[suzjohnson]

Yep, that's how my Rufus is beginning to make me feel He is 10 weeks old today and has been in my care for 4 weeks. His enclosure and feeding are set to the guidelines I have absorbed here. He is a robust eater, bugs & salad, and gaining weight and length at an astonishing rate. His one shed since being here, start to completely finished, took 3 days. I pick him up for a bit of lovin' at least 3 times a day and he seems to panic when I take him out of the enclosure. He just doesn't appear the least bit interest in any me to him contact unless I'm bringing his bug bag at feeding time. I talk to him as I am entering the room, don't reach over him to pick him up, don't let him go un-caught when catching him is my goal, don't hold him in a death grip when he works at wriggling away, which is constantly, and don't let him leap from my hand when returning him to his enclosure. He is finally, if reluctantly, accepting bath time but won't have any of this wrapping him up in a towel stuff. Nor does he like to sleep on anything other than the exposed glass beyond his paper towels. He won't poop on paper towels either which does make clean-up pretty simple. Don't get me wrong... I'm ever so grateful he appears to be doing so well in so many ways but, dang, I wish he could occasionally act like he isn't afraid of me or maybe even likes me a bit. Can't believe I finally have the opportunity to have ONE beardie and he's a Mr. Crankypants. I'll continue working with him, naturally, but if anyone has any suggestions, I would be so grateful for the input. Sorry for all the whining.

Suzanne

 

[EmilyRussom]

I'd whine too - don't worry about it.

You have to strike when his defenses are down! When he's all warm and snuggly and sleepy, grab him!

Put him in a towel or something, he may wiggle, but he's sleepy - so hopefully, he'll just fall back to sleep on you. Then you can stroke his back or pet his little head. Hopefully if that continues, you can snuggle him when he's more awake!

Best of luck!

 

[suzjohnson]

I'd whine too - don't worry about it.

You have to strike when his defenses are down! When he's all warm and snuggly and sleepy, grab him!

Put him in a towel or something, he may wiggle, but he's sleepy - so hopefully, he'll just fall back to sleep on you. Then you can stroke his back or pet his little head. Hopefully if that continues, you can snuggle him when he's more awake!

Best of luck!

Thanks Emily! There's a half an hour between heat light off and UVA/B light off when he seems to be slowing down and less reactive. He'll be cooling down but I'll give that time a try. I thought I read somewhere that it was harmful to hold them vertically so I've been reluctant to hold him to my chest that way. Have you heard that?

Suzanne

 

[Gail]

Some babies just take longer to become really tame, my little girls still tried to bit and hisses every time I open her cage. Just keep at it and she will eventually calm down. You can hold her on your chest, vertical is ok, its upside down you don't want to do.

 

[EmilyRussom]

I second Gail.

Vertical is fine - Tiki's favourite thing is to put her head under my chin while stretching out on my chest.

Let us know how your little dragon does when you pull the sneak attack!

 

[suzjohnson]

I second Gail.

Vertical is fine - Tiki's favourite thing is to put her head under my chin while stretching out on my chest.

Let us know how your little dragon does when you pull the sneak attack!

Thanks Emily and Gail! That is reassuring. I did a sneak attack last night and he was as calm as could be. I didn't completely remove him from his enclosure but he was very relaxed in my hands and closed his eyes when I was stroking his head and back. Will do this for a week and see if he becomes more amenable to daytime cuddles. If not, so be it. He is still a totally cool little character and I wouldn't miss having him in my life.

Suzanne

 

[CiaraAlexisOnFire]

Someone suggested on another post that putting an item of yours (like a t-shirt that has been worn by you) in his cage with him will get him used to your scent.
I thought it was a lovely idea.

 

[suzjohnson]

Someone suggested on another post that putting an item of yours (like a t-shirt that has been worn by you) in his cage with him will get him used to your scent.
I thought it was a lovely idea.

I tried that but he wouldn't stay on it, preferring to lay on the glass. Strange little dragon! You're right though, it is a lovely idea. I'm just grateful he has stopped flinching when I walk into the room.

Suzanne

 

[CiaraAlexisOnFire]

Someone suggested on another post that putting an item of yours (like a t-shirt that has been worn by you) in his cage with him will get him used to your scent.
I thought it was a lovely idea.

I tried that but he wouldn't stay on it, preferring to lay on the glass. Strange little dragon! You're right though, it is a lovely idea. I'm just grateful he has stopped flinching when I walk into the room.

Suzanne

He doesn't have to lay on it, it will be in there so he will smell your scent in his cage. Then he'll get more used to your scent

 

[suzjohnson]

Someone suggested on another post that putting an item of yours (like a t-shirt that has been worn by you) in his cage with him will get him used to your scent.
I thought it was a lovely idea.

I tried that but he wouldn't stay on it, preferring to lay on the glass. Strange little dragon! You're right though, it is a lovely idea. I'm just grateful he has stopped flinching when I walk into the room.

Suzanne

He doesn't have to lay on it, it will be in there so he will smell your scent in his cage. Then he'll get more used to your scent

Ok, I'll put the t-shirt back in