The bearded dragon is not naturally domesticated; his primal instinct is to protect himself by behaving aggressively, running away, swelling up or trying to bite when someone tries to pick him up. This is a completely normal self-defense tactic; however, over time it is possible to tame this cute reptile. You must always be gentle and calm with him and remember that it takes time to build the relationship of trust necessary to be able to completely tame him.
Steps
Part 1 of 2: Handle it
Step 1. Keep calm as you approach this reptile
Speak in a quiet tone of voice; when trying to catch him, put your hand near his side and not over his body, otherwise he might get scared, as this is how predators come swooping over his head.
There is no question that the bearded dragon will run away when you try to catch it no matter what you are doing, but you can gently lift it by cupping your hand
Step 2. Be careful not to get bitten
Keep in mind that this reptile has strong jaws, created to break up hard food and will therefore try to bite you; hold his head between your fingers, so he can't turn around and take a bite.
- During the first few attempts, you should proceed inside the cage, so as not to risk accidentally dropping the squirming bearded dragon and losing it in the house.
- If you are unsure of the character of the reptile you are holding, wear gloves the first few times you approach them.
- Although its jaws are capable of penetrating teeth to the bone of a finger, remember that it is not naturally aggressive; he wants more to be left alone than to attack.
Step 3. Don't pick him up when he's not in the mood
A sign that he is angry is the swollen body and the black color. Try to talk to him quietly until he calms down; you can understand that it calms down because it gradually returns to its natural color.
Try offering him a treat to cheer him up; by doing so, you are able to channel his aggression towards something else
Step 4. Be consistent when you want to pick up the pet
You need to get used to touching and being restrained, so be gentle when he struggles, as this is part of the training. Basically, you have to prevent him from running away when you hold him in your hands, unless he is very aggressive and tries to bite you; you shouldn't let go until it stops struggling. When you hold him, caress his head and talk to him sweetly; he is likely to close his eyes and calm down.
Step 5. Be gentle when putting it back on the ground
It is an important detail to remember even if the animal moves and tries to escape; do not let it fall into the cage, but place your hand on the bottom, open it and free the reptile.
Make sure your every move is conscious and peaceful even when trying to catch the bearded dragon
Part 2 of 2: Be Patient
Step 1. Be patient
Taming this reptile is a long process; you have to make him get used to you and at the same time you have to learn about his habits and preferences.
Step 2. Place the cage in a central area of the house
Do not physically isolate the animal by confining its home to an unused corner of the home. While you need to make sure he doesn't get exposed to too much noise and activity, you need to ensure that he gets used to the buzz of the house in order to adapt to the human presence.
Consider putting the cage in the living room if it isn't too noisy or crowded. if the dining room is close enough to the most used areas of the house but not subject to constant confusion, it can be a good solution
Step 3. Work hard every day to tame the bearded dragon
Spend half an hour or more a day handling it to help it get to grips with people.
Although you can divide the sessions into two parts of 15 minutes each, remember to touch and hold the animal daily for a minimum of half an hour
Advice
- If you have other animals, including reptiles, that are taking too much interest in your little friend, keep them away during training; the bearded dragon might see them as a threat and become aggressive.
- Keep some treats and vegetables on hand to reward her good behavior.
Warnings
- Some people find it best to handle an untamed specimen when it is cold, as it is less active. However, this is a cruel practice because in these situations the reptile feels a lot of fear and anxiety, although it remains too still to demonstrate it.
- Wash your hands with unscented soap before and after touching the bearded dragon to avoid any contagion.
- Some specimens are passive at first and then go through a phase of negative attitude; don't give up, it takes time to get through this stage.
