Monitor Training

dinosaurdammit · 11-27-12, 04:05 PM

So after lots and LOTS of work with my lizard I have gotten him to do some natural behaviors on command. Tripoding is my favorite thing he does I wanted to replicate it to show my family what they do in the wild. It took a few feedings but now he is clicker trained to tripod up and receive food. I can also get him to go to a particular place to "sit" before he gets his food. I usually only have him preform once before he is returned to his regular feeding.

It is interesting to see the intelligence in these animals and pretty cool to show these behaviors off. He is well known in the community.
Having to explain to family/friends he isnt "begging" was about the biggest hurtle. I had to explain I am just using his natural behaviors to "show off". I have a video somewhere of him tripoding. I shall try and find that and upload it here.

He is not harassed and if he doesnt want to do it he just simply doesnt and I just go about my day and he goes about his. It is interesting though to see him actually perform behaviors you see in the wild on cue. He also tripods when he has free roam time and he is looking for myself or my husband as he will follow you around expecting food. He seems pretty social though I am unsure if social behavior or just food behavior- cause this guy is a bottomless pit.

Are there any other monitor behaviors like tripoding?

nick654377 · 11-27-12, 05:01 PM

wheres the videos?

War Machine · 11-27-12, 06:03 PM

yeah, after such a short period of time, I need a video too lol.

Many monitors "tripod" for food, Argus are the true kings of it though.

Though, if I remember correctly, they don't do it out of feeding instinct, but for a better line of sight, in the wild, to target food, or predators. I think lol.

dinosaurdammit · 11-27-12, 06:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nick654377

wheres the videos?

in the process of downloading it to imovie

Quote:

Originally Posted by War Machine

yeah, after such a short period of time, I need a video too lol.

Many monitors "tripod" for food, Argus are the true kings of it though.

Though, if I remember correctly, they don't do it out of feeding instinct, but for a better line of sight, in the wild, to target food, or predators. I think lol.

He will tripod for food. He is very food driven, and very food aggressive. I fear ever giving him live prey. He seems overly smart. Letting me know when wants a good bath or even when he dislikes a food. I took him on a brief walk for about 15 mins. My friend videoed it for me.

War Machine · 11-27-12, 07:09 PM

A monitor shouldn't need a bath dino.

I'm honestly surprised at his attitude, especially being new to you.

dinosaurdammit · 11-27-12, 07:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by War Machine

A monitor shouldn't need a bath dino.

I'm honestly surprised at his attitude, especially being new to you.

he likes to soak to remove skin, he has some bad shedding issues from his previous owner. He soaks and some of the stuck shed comes off. Its really imbedded in there.

Gungirl · 11-27-12, 07:35 PM

Can you post up some photo's I would love to see him...

dinosaurdammit · 11-27-12, 07:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gungirl

Can you post up some photo's I would love to see him...

In the process of it now. :3

dinosaurdammit · 11-27-12, 07:53 PM

Here is a bad quality video but it shows the tripod.

Gungirl · 11-27-12, 07:54 PM

Do you have a collar on your monitor?

nick654377 · 11-27-12, 07:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gungirl

Do you have a collar on your monitor?

lmfao looks like it!

dinosaurdammit · 11-27-12, 08:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gungirl

Do you have a collar on your monitor?

its is but before I am jumped I modified it to be a harness to let him have walks outside. Ive also got a pic of it. Its not uncomfortable and he cannot wriggle out of it. He wouldnt let me take it off so I was going to let him chill out before I attempted to take it off. Let me find the picture of it. All other harnesses he could either get out of or were so ungodly uncomfortable he just laid there.

infernalis · 11-27-12, 08:04 PM

before we go any further... EVERYONE thought Chomper was "cute" in his harness.. so I really hope were not going to stat heading down a path I'd rather not see with this.....

Vital Exotics just posted a Black Dragon on a leash too.

So let's be careful where this goes.

War Machine · 11-27-12, 08:07 PM

I certainly won't hate on it. I plan on walking the albigs on hot days.

Im just concerned at the rate of it. A new monitor should be fearful and afraid. Maybe this one is just accustomed to humans?

Puts a spin on the image I have on argus.

dinosaurdammit · 11-27-12, 08:09 PM