How to Bond with Your Bearded Dragon (10 Simple Tips)

Bearded dragons are a popular choice for pets due to their friendly and gentle personalities. However, forming a bond with them can be a bit of a challenge. Unlike bonding with cats or dogs, bonding with a bearded dragon is a unique experience.

While bearded dragons might not be as cuddly as a puppy, they can still develop a deep bond with their human companions. Knowing how to create this bond is key to welcoming your new pet into your home and giving them a happy life.

So, what can you do to build a connection with your bearded dragon? While it might not involve snuggles on the couch, there are still plenty of ways to show your pet that you care.

Pro Tip: Take your bearded dragon out of the cage every day for at least half an hour for interaction with you.

How to Bond With a Bearded Dragon

To start, try the following tips and tricks on how to bond with your bearded dragon.

1. Be Committed and Have Patience

Building a bond with your bearded dragon is a slow and gradual process that requires both time and patience. Don’t be discouraged if your pet runs away or hides in a corner every time you try to interact with them.

Note: It can take up to 3 or 4 months for some people to earn their dragon’s trust and get them to interact with them.

To gain your bearded dragon’s trust, you should spend at least 30 minutes each day with them. Be patient, take your time, and don’t rush things.

Once you’ve earned your pet’s trust, you can hang out with them anytime you like, as long as they’re not sleeping. It’s essential to stay committed to building a relationship with your pet and to be patient throughout the process.

2. Hand Taming

When trying to bond with bearded dragons, hand taming is something that many owners overlook. Due to the size and excellent nature of the bearded dragons, it is so easy just to snatch up a baby and stare at it for a moment, then back to the cage.

Any pet has a better life if it is not hand-shy. Spend time with your hands near or just resting on your dragon. Always approach from a side position, as another lizard would, rather than above like a predator.

Coax him onto your hand, instead of pulling him from his favorite perch. When picking up, do so gently and use slow movements. If your lizard ever gets out, it would be time well spent if you could just reach over and rescue him without a chase.

3. Zen Training

Let your lizard relax. Watch his posture and eye movements for indications of contentment. Try to keep your dragon in this ‘zen’ state with you for the longest time possible.

At first, you may only achieve short moments of success, especially with a juvenile, but try each day to increase the time you spend ‘just being together’. Maybe, invite your dragon to watch a movie with you. Soon, your dragon will associate you with safety and companionship.

Bearded dragons have been known to sit on the shoulder of their owners all day and can go just about anywhere they do. By having a strong foundation of trust established early on, you will be rewarded with a companion others will envy.

4. Hand Feeding

Feeding by hand has many benefits. One of the best reasons is that it is fun, for both of you and can help you bond with your bearded dragon. It also teaches your friend that your hands are not just for grabbing.

However, go easy because you want the lizard to eat from his plate too. Because they are cold-blooded and tend to eat more in warmer conditions, so don’t be surprised if he is not interested on a cold day.

5. Watch out, lizards can fly!

Well, no they can’t, but babies don’t know this. Heights can be dangerous for any dragon and it is up to you to protect your lizard from falls. Do most of your handling sitting down on the lounge or bed and keep the items in your cage low.

Walking around together will come with time, short trips at first with your hand close incase. If anything startles your friend, go back to zen training and re-establish the bond.

6. Bath Time

Many bearded dragons love baths. It helps to clean and hydrate the skin. Shedding is easier too. Put some lukewarm water in a clean tub. Make sure that it is no deeper than halfway up the lizard’s front legs. Lightly pet their back and watch them swim for a while (5 minutes is enough) before drying them off and putting them back in their habitat.

7. Offer Rewards

A fun way to bond with your pet bearded dragon is by rewarding them with treats throughout the day. When your dragon starts moving around, grab a treat and hold it with your fingertips. Then, slowly move the treat around their habitat until they come out to eat it. Once they get close, put the treat down and gently pet them. If they run away, don’t worry. Keep trying until they feel comfortable staying still and allowing you to pet them.

8. Don’t Let Aggression Discourage You

It’s highly likely that your dragon might hiss or even show some aggression towards you by puffing up their beard when you first meet. It’s because they don’t know you yet and may not be sure if they can trust you.

If that happens, it’s best to give your dragon some space and help them to relax. Talk to them in a gentle and soothing tone to let them know that you mean no harm.

Once the aggressive behavior has calmed down, you can try offering them some food or even hand feed them (if they let you) to show that everything is okay.

Remember, in the beginning, it’s perfectly normal for your dragon to display some aggression, so don’t worry too much about it.

Also, if your dragon squirms or wriggles a lot when you hold them, don’t let that discourage you from bonding with them. With time, your dragon will get used to being handled by you and will eventually become more comfortable around you.

9. Handle Your Dragon with Care

Handling a bearded dragon can be tricky, but there are some do’s and don’ts to keep in mind. Firstly, avoid dangling them as this can cause distress. Instead, lift them up from under their belly and make sure to support their entire body, including their legs.

To see the correct way to handle your bearded dragon, check out the helpful video below. By following these tips, you can ensure your pet stays happy and comfortable during handling.

How to Pick up a Bearded Dragon.

10. Let Your Dragon Adventure

Your bearded dragon deserves a fulfilling and enjoyable life, which is why it’s important to provide regular time outside of its vivarium.

By giving your pet engaging activities and toys, they will come to enjoy your company and associate the fun with you even more.

Including your dragon in your daily life will help them develop trust and a strong bond with you as their caregiver.

You may want to consider purchasing a leash and harness for your dragon, allowing them to explore your backyard or go for a walk around the block. However, make sure to keep an eye on them and prevent them from eating any plants or insects. Additionally, keep them away from areas where pesticides may have been used.

Make sure to always supervise your beardie while exploring, as they can easily wander off or get lost. To minimize risk, keep other pets away from your bearded dragon.

Do Bearded Dragons Bond With Their Owners?

Absolutely! Although they may not be as expressive as dogs or other furry animals, bearded dragons have been known to demonstrate affection towards their owners.

One way beardies show their affection is by remaining calm and comfortable while being handled or resting on their owner’s lap.

With proper care and attention, bearded dragons can form a close relationship with their human companions.

One reason for this is because bearded dragons associate their owners with delicious food. Additionally, as they become more familiar with their owners, they learn that they are not a threat or predator. This helps them feel more comfortable and reduces any initial stress they may have experienced when first introduced to their new home.

How Do You Know if Your Bearded Dragon Likes You?

Have you ever wondered if your bearded dragon likes you or trusts you? Remember every dragon has its own personality that affects how they behave around people. However, there are a few signs that may indicate your dragon is comfortable around you:

• Your dragon gets excited when you approach their terrarium and recognizes you.
• They sit still on your lap for a little while, indicating that they feel safe and relaxed around you.
• Your dragon may even fall asleep on your lap or near you, which is a sign that they trust you and feel comfortable in your presence.
• Believe it or not, bearded dragons enjoy watching TV with their human friends, and it’s a great bonding activity for you and your dragon.
• If your dragon willingly comes to you when you put your hand in their terrarium, even if you don’t have food, this is a good sign that they trust you and enjoy spending time with you.
• When your dragon is stressed or scared, they may look for you for comfort and security, which shows that they trust you to protect them.

Remember, building trust with your bearded dragon takes time and patience, so keep spending quality time with your scaly friend and watch your bond grow stronger.

How to Get Your Bearded Dragon to Like You?

As you start building a relationship with your dragon, there are some helpful tips to keep in mind:

Know their personality: It’s important to understand your bearded dragon’s unique character. If they show signs of not wanting to be held, respect their wishes.

Remember their wild side: Bearded dragons are prey animals and can be easily startled. By recognizing this, you can approach them in a way that makes them feel safe and secure.

Give new dragons space: If you bring a dragon home, wait about two weeks before handling them. This gives them time to adjust to their new environment. Rescue dragons may need even more time to settle in.

Get them used to you: To help your dragon become comfortable with you, leave a piece of clothing with your scent in their tank. You can also place your hand in the tank for a few moments to let them get used to your presence. Eventually, you can feed them by hand. Move slowly and steadily so they can see you coming.

Conclusion

To bond with your bearded dragon, follow the tips mentioned above. However, it’s important to be dedicated and patient. Giving up too soon may hinder your efforts to create a meaningful bond. If you’re struggling, don’t hesitate to seek help from a professional reptile trainer who can offer personal training and expert guidance.