Aggressive Bearded Dragon?

Question

My juvenile bearded dragon is being aggressive when i try to take him out of his cage. He'll run away from my hand and if i try to pick him up, he opens his mouth like he's going to bite. Once he's in my hand he breathes really hard even when i pet his head/back. Is there a way to make him more tame?

Answer 1

Once he gets use to you he will get better.  Try putting your hands in the cage more, petting him more often.  They seem to calm down more when they get older.  Mine used to do that but now he lets me hold him without any problems.

Answer 2

The only way to make an animal more tame is to keep working with them. Instead of picking him up when he doesn't want you to, just lay your hand in the cage to get him used to you being there. Once he has relaxed enough and is accustomed to your presence in his territory, you could try to take him out.

Answer 3

maybe you're holding him wrong.  The correct way to hold your bearded dragon is to:

1.  Make sure he sees you.  You don't want him thinking your a predator or something.

2.  When you hold him, put your fore finger under his neck and your other fingers close or on the base of his tail.

3.  If he tries to run, gently grasp the base of his tail and when he runs put slightly more pressure on his tail.

Don't worry if this doesn't work.  Stubborn beardies can easily be tamed with you handling him daily.  Hope this helped.

Answer 4

Don't come after him.  Just put one finger in front of him and keep it there without moving it.  If he likes you and is ready, he'll walk up on it.  Just put your hand in the habitat several times a day w/o picking him up and let him get used to you.

You can also try hand-feeding him once he's in your hand.  Try a small mealworm on tongs, or a small piece of raspberry (ours loves to l**k raspberry juice off of our fingers), or a small piece of greens.

Don't try to pick him up from the top or side.  Only from the front.  He sounds very scared.  Have you had him long?  If not, give him time to get used to his habitat first.