Adult taming.

[Christalligator]

We recently rescued an adult Leopard Gecko from a bad home. He is about 7 years old and was only handled once in its life. The owners said when they first got him he "bit" them and they haven't touched him since. Now I would love to handle him and love him. I have put my hand in the tank so he can smell me, taste me, and get used to me. He has licked my hand a few times but then I get the "Hell no" reaction from him and he takes off. When I pick him up he wiggles like crazy, and then pees ( I assume nerves).

How can I make him love me?

 

[EasiGregory]

Time heals all wounds. Be patient and more important consistent. Establish a routine of everyday cleaning/feeding/light handling(if he allows). Or if your already picking him up continue this but only for a few minuets each day until he gets used to you. In the end consistency and time are what you need with him. GL

 

[Herbiebug]

I'm not certain if reptile trust psychology varies much from mammals, but i imagine it's similar. The usual method for taming very skittish prey animals, such as guinea pigs, is food association. Step 1 is same procedure as you have been doing, except do it when you are putting food items in to the tank. Just keep your hand inside tank but dont approach gecko. Do this for two weeks. If he climbs on to your hand, dont lift him out yet. Step 2 would be hand feeding, hold prey item in fingers or with tongs and allow him to come to you and snatch the worm/cricket. Couple more weeks of this. Then couple more weeks of holding him inside the tank. And finally when he is comfortable with that, you can bring him out for short (15 minutes max) periods of time a couple days a week.

Basic idea is this:
1. Establish that you are not a predator
2. That you are the provider of food
3. And finally that you are a friend

 

[Olympus]

I was going to write something along the same lines as what Herbiebug wrote, you can condition reptiles with food just like you can anything else. I tong feed mine with short tongs and they immediately associate me with "good" things, like yummy worms or roaches, and don't flinch if they see my hand in the tank (but I don't get nipped either by over-eager eaters who miss and chomp on fingers instead.) And then establishing a routine with animals is always a good idea, they like stability and predictability. He should come around with a little time and patience.