Baby beardie bonding

[raemlpz]

I really want to start bonding with my 5 week old beardie I got around 2 weeks ago. Every time I go to pick him/her up he/she looks as if he/she's scared of me. I want to bond with him/her more to make him/her like me. What should I do?

 

[raemlpz]

Two more things, is it okay if they close one eye and the other open a lot? My beardie does that a lot. Also if I'm petting them or bathing them and they close their eyes, does that mean they're scared and uncomfortable or they like the feeling?

 

[PatsyB]

Patience is everything. I had a tough time with my boy Luci too. These are things that worked for us:

I would pet him in his tank at bedtime when he started to get sleepy eyes. I would also pick him up at this time and hold him for a few minutes. When they are sleepy, they let their guard down and gives a chance to bond.

When he would open his mouth to bite me or hiss at me, I didn't flinch. I wanted to show him I wasn't afraid of him and eventually he learned I wasn't going to hurt him.

Other things are, putting a piece of your clothing in his tank so he gets used to your smell. When he opens his mouth to bite you put a piece of green in his mouth so he associates you with food.

Luci sometimes will still back away from me when I go to pick him up but then quickly relaxes when he realizes he's getting out of his tank and going somewhere fun.

So many times I wanted to give up but I didn't and now he is the sweetest little boy

 

[PatsyB]

In my experience, if they are closing their eyes, that means they are comfortable with you. Opening one eye and closing the other is a quirk, they all do it.

 

[raemlpz]

In my experience, if they are closing their eyes, that means they are comfortable with you. Opening one eye and closing the other is a quirk, they all do it.

Thanks Patsy, that's great to know!