Needing Advice Please

[Lady_Kiya]

Hey guys,
My friend just recently got his first bearded dragon. He is about 3 years old and is always very defensive. His whole neck turns black and puffs out when my friend or anyone even gets close to his enclosure. The previous owner says he got him as a rescue. As far as we are aware when he got him he was malnourished but there was no other problems. Now he seems to be a little heavy, but that is only a guess as neither of us have ever had a beardie before. The previous owner must not have cleaned the enclosure often, cause when he first got him the cage was full of crap. It was really dirty. We cleaned it out, changed the sand for tiles. However, like I said he has issues with handling. "Rex" as he called him, always gets really dark black under the chin and opens his mouth threatening to bite. What can we do with a beardie to get him used to people and being held?

Thanks!

 

[ariana]

my friend has a beardie that was like that at first too. it takes a lot of patience. every time you get near the enclosure, and he starts to get black on the neck, stop where you are and let him get used to it. then move forward again. continue this until you are right up to the enclosure. it may take a few days of this maybe even weeks before he gets ok with that. when he gets ok with that try opening the top of the enclosure. dont try to touch him just let him know its open. as he gets more relaxed with it try easing a hand down in there SLOWLY when he starts to get edgy, STOP RIGHT WHERE YOU ARE UNTIL HE RELAXES! i learned that the hard way and got bit. when he gets used to your hand in there try petting him. continue with the patience. then put a hand under his belly. dont pick him up until he is ok with it.when you do decide to pick him up only lift him a few inches up, if he's calm continue.when they are like that they are scared; he was most likely mistreated before he was rescued. it will take awhile but it pays off in the end! her beardie now lays on the bad with us and doesn't care who picks him up as long as they dont make any sudden moves. just remember; PATIENCE! lol

 

[nevinm]

she nailed it right on the head