Lizard trust issues

[youngster]

I got my beardie in August off a person I know who was going off to college and couldn't keep him.
It became quite obvious to me that he was being kept in sub-adequate conditions but they weren't extremely bad.
The worst part IMO is that it became apparent that they handled him VERY rarely if ever. So, as expected he doesn't really like being handled.

My question is what are the best ways of building trust with him. I try handling him everyday and I do some trust exercises like putting food on my arm and making him climb onto me to get it. And he seems to be getting better but very gradually. Any tips/suggestions are highly appreciated. Thanks

[Lankyrob]

Sounds like you are doing the right thing to be honest - just time and patience needed.

[Valvaren]

A good thing I find works really well is taking them out at lights out, and letting him sleep on you. He might not like it at first but it really helped Thil and I and many others now most wont go to bed without being taken out first :p

[Gungirl]

You are on the right track.. time and patience. Don't push him to much at one time. Watch him a lot and learn to read his body language. In time he will learn to trust you.

[beardeds4life]

yes try to get a front loading tank to it will help so much not to have lids being taken out and scaring him just as you want to take him out

[youngster]

I tried the thing Valvaren suggested and it actually worked pretty well.
I turned his UV light out and waited a few minutes for him to get a little sleepy to take him out and he seemed much more chill and comfortable with me.
I was able to put him on the ground without him trying to run away as usual.
And he actually fell asleep on me :)
Soooo cute when he's sleepy :D

[ZARADOZIA]

A good thing I find works really well is taking them out at lights out, and letting him sleep on you. He might not like it at first but it really helped Thil and I and many others now most wont go to bed without being taken out first



That's good advice and I will try that in a few days. I just got a 2yr old female that isn't friendly. She's not aggressive but she is uncomfortable with contact. I don't think she was handled by her previous owner. Every few hours during the day I talk to her and pet her. The first time she puffed at me, it was cute. I'll slide my hand under her and support her weight, allowing her time to get use to the contact but I haven't tried picking her up because I don't want to stress her out any more. She did eat from my hand and that is reassuring (she has a plate of veggies).


This weekend I am going to check up and possible bring home 2 more that are in need of a new home. We'll see what happens.

[youngster]

Update: last night I took Drake out at about 8:30 and he slept on me for about an hour :)
Seems to be getting better very fast since I posted this thread.
I temp gunned my thigh where he was sleeping and it was a perfect 90 degrees so he was perfectly comfy cozy :)

[SpOoKy]

Update: last night I took Drake out at about 8:30 and he slept on me for about an hour
Seems to be getting better very fast since I posted this thread.
I temp gunned my thigh where he was sleeping and it was a perfect 90 degrees so he was perfectly comfy cozy

Good stuff but be careful...the last time I had Muncher sleeping on me I fell asleep also. Not such a bad thing until I woke up to exploding farts and poo running down the side of my torso lol. Didn't even wake Muncher up :)

[youngster]

Haha that's hilarious! :) I was on the computer though so I wasn't really taking that risk

[Gungirl]

Good stuff but be careful...the last time I had Muncher sleeping on me I fell asleep also. Not such a bad thing until I woke up to exploding farts and poo running down the side of my torso lol. Didn't even wake Muncher up :)


That's a great mental picture... :hmm:

At least you learned your lesson and no one was hurt. :p

[alessia55]

Glad to hear he's making progress with you!! Looking forward to see those pics of him sleeping on you next time :)