How do you tame?

[DiscoDigi786]

Hey guys, I was curious as to how you experienced owners have gone about taming your Leopard Geckos. My guys have been settled in to their enclosures for a few weeks now. One, a hatchling perhaps two or three months old, allows itself to be gently cornered and walks onto my hand. I then allow it to crawl around my hands and wrists for 5-10 minutes then put it down. I have a larger, 5-6 month old leopard that will not allow itself to be picked up. Instead it freaks out and runs away, sprinting around the enclosure.

Thoughts on how to work around this? Thanks!

 

[bman123]

You just have to let them earn your trust. Put your hand in there and let it come to you, try to pet him but not pick him up. It will take time

 

[Lala]

basically just do what you are doing leave your hand in the tank and dont make any sudden movements. just do this for a while and they should become used to your hand being there, once they see they are not in any danger all should be ok

 

[fifthdawn]

Hmm, I wouldn't recommend this, but this worked wonders for me on two of my geckos.

What I did was made sure my gecko hasn't ate and recently pooped so it doesn't have food in its digestive tracks. I turned off the heatpad so that it gets cold. The temperature around night time is around 65 so its quite cold so they're a bit sluggish as well because of that. I let that be for about 2 days then when I try to handle them, as soon as they're in my hand, they calm down and sits there because its so warm. I just hold them until their body is warm enough. Normally when it is, they start walking away from my hand. Then I turn the heatpad back on and continue normal feeding schedules. They will associate you're hand with heat and will be alot more tame. My geckos weren't just wild, they were hissy and bites, both of them and this worked almost instantly.

 

[chechatonga]

It may take a while for a gecko to become tame. Some of them never really become tame. Just slowly earn its trust by letting the gecko crawl towards you instead of grabing it and taking it out. This worked for me on 2 of my geckos. Key thing here is PATIENCE!

 

[MichaelJ]

Use very slow, fluid movements any time your hand enters the enclosure... whether you're feeding, cleaning, handling, etc.

If you confidently scoop the gecko up from the under belly in one motion, you can usually create a firm ~but gentle~ hold on the gecko and he will relax. Open your palm face up and let him know he is safe. (I suggest doing this while your hand is still inside the enclosure).

He just wants to feel safe and secure. If YOU are confident and calm, they can sense that and it usually helps a great deal.

Otherwise.... just time and patience.

Good luck!

 

[ariana]

i wet my hand, just so it was damp, and then let the leos come to me,
they soon associated my hand with water and are all lap babies now
good luck

 

[CallDr]

Use very slow, fluid movements any time your hand enters the enclosure... whether you're feeding, cleaning, handling, etc.

If you confidently scoop the gecko up from the under belly in one motion, you can usually create a firm ~but gentle~ hold on the gecko and he will relax. Open your palm face up and let him know he is safe. (I suggest doing this while your hand is still inside the enclosure).

He just wants to feel safe and secure. If YOU are confident and calm, they can sense that and it usually helps a great deal.

Otherwise.... just time and patience.

Good luck!

+1

Now everyone here is going to say....... depends..LOL!

I think the first step is there has to be a normal schedule of how you live in your home and when you have to go into the tank to feed, change water, clean poop...ect. ( assuming you have given a one week... slow adjust time)

I think as long as You act normal and not :tip toe: around it's better. Winning your trust to handle seems to come after they will stay out in the open and not dart for cover to a hide when you enter the room.

I found that walking by the cage and not stopping or just doing some activity .... basically as if it was not there.... helped.

From what I understand is when they lick you..... they are getting your scent. This seems to be part of the taming efforts.

 

[GeckoGathering]

Training a Friend

Hey guys, I was curious as to how you experienced owners have gone about taming your Leopard Geckos. My guys have been settled in to their enclosures for a few weeks now. One, a hatchling perhaps two or three months old, allows itself to be gently cornered and walks onto my hand. I then allow it to crawl around my hands and wrists for 5-10 minutes then put it down. I have a larger, 5-6 month old leopard that will not allow itself to be picked up. Instead it freaks out and runs away, sprinting around the enclosure.

Thoughts on how to work around this? Thanks!

Take a read******
:main_yes::main_yes::main_yes:
http://geckoforums.net/showthread.php?t=36375

 

[DiscoDigi786]

Thank you all very much for the helpful advice. I appreciate it! I will try the water thing this week and report back after a few weeks have gone by. Thanks again!