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Clownfishie · #1 (**permalink**) 03-20-2002, 04:46 AM

When I cleaned Kaz's cage today, he totally freaked out when I picked him up both times (taking him out, and putting him back in)... puffed up, opened his mouth wide, even hissed at me a few times...

He's 9 weeks old now, and I've pretty much just been handling him when I clean out the cage every week -- should I be doing it more? I don't want to end up with a skittish 2 foot long dragon when he grows up. I was just worried about stressing him out by handling him too much when he's still so young...

How often do you guys handle your young dragons?

Thanks for any advice you can give...
Jen
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joerissa · #2 (**permalink**) 03-20-2002, 05:14 AM

We put our dragons cage in the living room so they can get used to our presence. We try to handle them a couple times a day for around 10 to 15 min at a time. The more he gets used to you the longer you can go. Keep some greens or mealworms handy. If he is opening his mouth and tries to bite, pop in a meal worm. Eventually he will get full and stop biting. Hope this helps. [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_cool.gif[/img]
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cb76 · #3 (**permalink**) 03-20-2002, 05:15 AM

hey.........wait a minute......

i thought this was about snakes........

anyways, i have owned beardies in the past- is that the dragon you're talking about???

to calm the skittish young-uns i handled frequently and had calm adults! same with the snakes n stuff.

i would say interact with it on another level than just cage maintanence. daily if you got the time. it only takes a few..... [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_wink.gif[/img]

good luck!
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CaptainHowdy · #4 (**permalink**) 03-20-2002, 06:01 AM

yeah, you might want to handle him more than just on "cleaning day"..I'm sure it's probably a scary thing for a little dragon...
anyway, when my beardie(s) were young, I would handle them for about 20 minutes a day, and often gave them "free run" of me and the couch.
Beardie babies are so small and vonerable, they need to act tough...I also agree with what everyone else has said and suggested.
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Squirgle · #5 (**permalink**) 03-20-2002, 06:14 AM

Can you do this with all snakes? (well not hots but constrictors?) Handle them a lot when young and relatively harmless in hopes of a calmer adult? Mainly I'm wondering about my GTP, first off she is only somewhat calm with me, she doesn't like anyone else in the house. Seccondly she doesn't really like being handled (as most GTP's are) but I was wondering if its possible to work with her enough to have a calm GTP in the future? Once I get her out of the cage, she doesn't mind just sitting in my hand if I keep it still. Can GTP's be calm adults? It doesn't seem to be, but I'm kinda hoping. If it can't happen, I'll let it drop and not handle her, but if its possible I'd really like to be able to handle her...
thanks
Squirgle
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Clownfishie · #6 (**permalink**) 03-21-2002, 02:37 AM

Ok, thanks guys [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_smile.gif[/img] I'll try to take the time for a little bit of TLC every day... But for the first little while, I'm definitely going to be doing it over the tank, because he's quite the little jumper. It's scary! I wish that I had an uncluttered room where I could interact with him and not have to worry about him getting away and me not being able to find him... Unfortunately both of our rooms have furniture all over the place that he could hide behind/under ... not the kind of place that i want him to be running free in....

Jen
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cb76 · #7 (**permalink**) 03-21-2002, 03:28 AM

hey squirgle

you should handle your animals as much as possible. even the tree ones, that isif you want a docile animal.

our very own julius has a docile emerald tree boa, me and some friends have docile amazon tree boas- i am sure with work and dedication you can have a docile or tolerant green tree python. you just have to take a few bites to prove to them that you arent gonna hurt them, or to make them used to you andbeing handled.

for the most part- people who own GTP's, ATB's and ETB's do not generally handle them. they are show pieces in their collections.

its up to you to do what you want with your animal. generally speaking- to get a docile snake- you have to handle it.

there are african rocks just as placid and pleasent to be around as any burmese- they were handled.

good luck!
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Shadrach · #8 (**permalink**) 03-21-2002, 04:10 AM

Another thing don't jump or hesitate when he does this! He'll think it's ok for this behavior and keep doing it!
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Squirgle · #9 (**permalink**) 03-21-2002, 04:55 AM

Thank you both, thats what I figured. Yes, I would like to have a 'tolerant' GTP, and I am willing to take bites to get there, so I guess I was doing it correctly before. [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_smile.gif[/img]
thanks again guys
Squirgle
P.S. "don't jump or hesitate when he does this! He'll think it's ok for theis behavior and keep doing it!" heh [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_smile.gif[/img] sounds like working with puppy
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Clownfishie · #10 (**permalink**) 03-22-2002, 04:50 AM

Ok. So we've decided that I SHOULD handle Kaz more -- but now, how the heck do I do it? I tried taking him out tonight and he spazzed all over the tank, throwing himself against the glass. I was afraid that he was going to hurt himself... and then he grabbed on and bit me a few times (didn't hurt at all, but it upset me [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_frown.gif[/img] ). I've created a little monster *sniffle*.

How can I get him used to me enough so that he doesn't do this, and maybe I'll have a chance to actually pick him up???

When I pick him up, should I try to restrain him? Or is that just going to freak him out even more... I'm kind of used to my leos, where I'm afraid that if I restrain them too much they might drop their tails... I'm also afraid of hurting him if I restrain him, he's just so small still...

Help!

Jen
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joerissa · #11 (**permalink**) 03-22-2002, 05:27 AM

K, try placing 2 fingers about 3 to 4 inches in front of him. Then, slowly try moving towards him until you have worked your way under his belly. He may be skittish the first couple of times but should get used to it. See, if your hand is coming down over his back he will think you are a bird of prey & his instinct is to get away fast. If he turns out anything like ours, it will take 1 finger to pick him up and 2 hands to put him down. Oh, as far as restraining goes very lightly if any. Hope this helps [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_cool.gif[/img]
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amErika · #12 (**permalink**) 03-22-2002, 05:44 AM

OK. Get some Flukers dried crickets. Put some in his salad and get him eating a couple. Then when he comes out you can feed him the crickets with tongs or something and calm him down while he his in your hands.
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Clownfishie · #13 (**permalink**) 03-22-2002, 06:36 PM

Ok, I'll give those 2 tips a try... thanks guys [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_smile.gif[/img]

Any other suggestions?
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juggalettefwb · #14 (**permalink**) 05-07-2002, 01:09 AM

Im a newbie at beardies but my boufriend has a Tegu and when she freaks out he says her name over and over to her and gently restrains her then she calme down pretty fast and he is able to stroke her gently then. Dunno maybe it'll help I hope so. [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_smile.gif[/img] Good Luck
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