Very aggressive dragon out of the blue

[Storm9711]

I have a male bearded dragon about 6 months old that's super aggressive. When i bought him 5 months ago i thought he was a female and he was sweet and would sleep in my hand, all that nice stuff then i found out he was a male about a month or 2 ago and after that i cant handle him. I know me finding out he was a male and not a female isn't the reason but that's when it happened lol. When i open his cage he gets very defensive and puffs out, doesnt blacken his beard, and opens his mouth. I try to slowly approach him to pick him up and he runs around his cage like a crazy thing. i don't approach from the top, i try to pick him up from the side but he'll either bite me or run. He has bitten me and drawn blood a handful of times. I used to manage getting him out of his cage and just setting him on my bed for about 30 mins to look out the window and stuff but i just cant right now.. its a nightmare just thinking about taking him out and giving him a bath. Iv started fresh today by sticking my hand in his cage for a long time and if he was good i would give him a superworm. I read that it could be "puberty" but its been 2 long miserable months! I just need help.

 

[CooperDragon]

It sounds like it's probably a phase. A long and frustrating one, granted. Is there anything about his setup that could be irritating him? How is his appetite?

 

[Brezzy99]

You could try putting one of your shirts in his enclosure. This might help him get used to you all over again.

 

[Storm9711]

It sounds like it's probably a phase. A long and frustrating one, granted. Is there anything about his setup that could be irritating him? How is his appetite?

I think his cage is fine, he has hiding spots, basking spot, hot side/cool side and some branches. And his appetite is huge haha, he eats like a pig. He will eat worms when I hand feed him but I'm going to find tongs to feed worms with because he's thinkin my fingers are food now.

 

[Storm9711]

You could try putting one of your shirts in his enclosure. This might help him get used to you all over again.

That's a good idea, I might put a bracelet I wear every day in there.

 

[AHBD]

Hi there....I don't think he really needs to get used to your scent, that would be all over his tank, feeders, etc. I would advise against putting a bracelet in, beardies like to eat strange things sometimes and he just might be attracted to it for some reason. For now just get a medium thick pair of gloves and take him out every day for 15 -20 minutes. Hold him against your chest for awhile or sit on the floor in a small room like a bathroom. He should eventually relax and get used to you.