Behavior training?

[Adinar]

I still seem to be having a little bit of issues with Leonidas in this aspect. He's fine with being held (I've been working with both of them, and have been holding them daily for a few minutes), but still seems to skitz out all the time. Some examples of this behavior being when he's not chilling on top of his hide, he starts packing back and forth if I walk in front of the cage. Or has to be coxed like there's no tomorrow into just being held. Once there, he's just on the move constantly (needless to say he's pretty quick and I'm always worried he'll jump and either a) hurt/kill himself or b) not hurt himself but take off running and get lost).

Anything I can possibly do to help this one just relax for a change? lol. Granted I know each is different, but it'd be great if I could get him to the point of being as laid back as the other. Any hints and tips would be appreciated.

 

[silent183]

I think he's pacing back and forth when you walk by because he is trying to tell you he wants to be held lol

 

[Dan K.]

you named him leonitus he's just taking after his name

 

[Adinar]

Lol. All's he needs now is an epic beard and a killer set of abs.

He must just be a crackhead then. hehe.




Just watch, in a few months if I can finally figure out what sex (s)he really is... he'll turn out to be a she. That just seems so wrong.

 

[EchoPet]

My male, Emilio, used to be really skittish about being handled. It got to the point that anytime I stuck my hand in his tank, he was looking at it like an enemy and/or a food item. I stopped feeding him in his tank completely, and now he eats in a separate feeding bin. At first it took him a little while to get used to, but now I think he realized that being handled is a good thing, and ultimately he'll wind up in the bin for a feeding after being held.

 

[GeckoGathering]

May Help Train

I still seem to be having a little bit of issues with Leonidas in this aspect. He's fine with being held (I've been working with both of them, and have been holding them daily for a few minutes), but still seems to skitz out all the time. Some examples of this behavior being when he's not chilling on top of his hide, he starts packing back and forth if I walk in front of the cage. Or has to be coxed like there's no tomorrow into just being held. Once there, he's just on the move constantly (needless to say he's pretty quick and I'm always worried he'll jump and either a) hurt/kill himself or b) not hurt himself but take off running and get lost).

Anything I can possibly do to help this one just relax for a change? lol. Granted I know each is different, but it'd be great if I could get him to the point of being as laid back as the other. Any hints and tips would be appreciated.

See if this might help a bit.
It works for me and others have had good comments with it helping them.
Take care. HJ

http://geckoforums.net/showthread.php?t=36375&highlight=Help+Train+Friend

 

[Adinar]

I actually read that post before and have been doing that with him, it's actually how I got him to calm down enough to where I can pick him up and hold him now. Before he used to try biting and such, and I haven't had an issue with that since doing that. Now it's just to the point where I'm holding him and he's trying to run around all over the place. (even if I cup my hands together on my chest to kind of keep him there, he tries to squeeze out). Where as Loki is very relaxed about it all. (he's even gotten to the point where he'll crawl up to my shoulder and hide under my shirt collar. He feel asleep like that last night when I was gaming.) Who knows, maybe Leonidas just has leo ADHD or something. lol.

 

[GeckoGathering]

Training Hints

I actually read that post before and have been doing that with him, it's actually how I got him to calm down enough to where I can pick him up and hold him now. Before he used to try biting and such, and I haven't had an issue with that since doing that. Now it's just to the point where I'm holding him and he's trying to run around all over the place. (even if I cup my hands together on my chest to kind of keep him there, he tries to squeeze out). Who knows, maybe he's got leo ADD or something. lol.

I find that once they are used to your smell and touch they really
stay riding the body without much thought of leaving it unless you sit down. As long as you are on your feet they want high ground so to speak.
Take care/it keeps getting better. HJ

 

[Adinar]

Alright, I'll have to make sure I just stay standing when I hold him. Loki seems to love it when I sit down when holding him because he can get into a spot without being bumped around much.

Thanks for the info.

 

[GeckoGathering]

Training Hints

Alright, I'll have to make sure I just stay standing when I hold him. Loki seems to love it when I sit down when holding him because he can get into a spot without being bumped around much.

Thanks for the info.

I did not mean it to sound like you
had to REMAIN standing while you were holding Loki.
Just that when you sit, he will look more for a place to
go to, like off your shoulder to the back of the couch, etc.
They can judge about making a plunge off or not.
While standing it's unlikely.
Take care. HJ

 

[Nictobramit]

i dunno if this will help, but i am currently getting my leo used to handling. i took a tupperware bowl, deep enough so he can't climb out, and put him in it, then i put my hand in with him so he gets used to it being close to him, but he couldn't jump out of my hand risking injury or getting lost.
after a few sessions like that, he actually was ok to just sit in my hand.
now i'm able to not use the bowl and just let him sit in my hand and he'll even crawl up my arm or across my lap sometimes.
just an idea on how i did it

 

[Adinar]

Yeah, I've still been working with him on it, and he's getting better. Slowly but surely. I've reached the point where I can pick him up just behind the front legs and put him on the front of my shirt.

I'm sure he'll get there eventually. lol.

 

[VampyricAngelX]

I don't have a problem with either of mine being held but they always seem to dig at the glass or try to climb up it, looks like they're trying to escape. (Temps are fine, and they're housed separately, they just... seem to want out) Not too sure why they do this but they're usually fine after I let them walk around on my bed for a bit, though sometimes they'll do this until they tire themselves out.

 

[Adinar]

Oh, yeah. He does exactally the same thing.