Hello, I am a new tegu owner and I was just wondering if anyone had any tips on how to properly acclimate/socialize my new baby. Right now he’s hiding in his rock formation and I know not to bother him when he’s in there but I was wondering what I can do to help him adjust and begin feeling comfortable with me. I’ve read a few things I just wanted some opinions.
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New owner seeking tips
- Thread starter BabyBlu00
- Start date
- Messages
- 140
- Location
- Clovis, CA
Hi, and welcome!
Someone will be along soon to answer your questions.
Someone will be along soon to answer your questions.
Cowboy Jesus
New Member
- Messages
- 2
I have 2 that I bought at the same time, I just let them be them if they are out and if they don’t get stressed I pick them up. I just try to let them alone and try not to aggravate. Seems to have worked pretty good
purplewombat
New Member
- Messages
- 28
Well, either what I did worked well or I was extremely lucky, Sammy is very friendly to all, likes to be held and petted, walks well on a leash, poops on a pad, can be fed by hand, understands "yes" and "no" when walking, and so far is not exhibiting any signs of "guberty". We have visited a number of stores. He just sits in the top of the Lowe's cart for most of the visit, other than times when others wanted to hold him. Many nights he sits on top of my chest while I am laying on the sofa watching TV (or snuffles about under the blanket).
When I first got him he was probably a few months old, still had some green tints. I let him stay to himself for 4 or 5 days. After that I would always approach slowly, talking as I did so, and tried to pick him up from underneath rather than grabbing him from above. I frequently hummed the same songs I used to use to lull my kids to sleep when they were babies to him. When he was comfortable being held, I kept him with me frequently while doing household tasks. I always waited until I put him back to feed him. As he became more relaxed I introduced leash training using a sign with green "yes" on one side, red "no" on the other to direct him as he walked about. As long as he is in his early growth phase, I am feeding him every day, which I think limits food aggression tendencies. I also do not feed any live mice, birds, etc, figuring that will likely spur his "hunter killer" tendencies.
I only had about a month of interaction after bringing him home initially, then he brumated for 7 months.
My biggest problem with him is his tendency to eat rocks when walking him outside. I understand they can be helpful for digestion, but I am trying to avoid having him eat too many or any that are too big. Honestly, I had to grab some that were nearly as big as his head out of his mouth.
Summarizing, I have treated him as you would a dog or a cat, and he has responded.
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When I first got him he was probably a few months old, still had some green tints. I let him stay to himself for 4 or 5 days. After that I would always approach slowly, talking as I did so, and tried to pick him up from underneath rather than grabbing him from above. I frequently hummed the same songs I used to use to lull my kids to sleep when they were babies to him. When he was comfortable being held, I kept him with me frequently while doing household tasks. I always waited until I put him back to feed him. As he became more relaxed I introduced leash training using a sign with green "yes" on one side, red "no" on the other to direct him as he walked about. As long as he is in his early growth phase, I am feeding him every day, which I think limits food aggression tendencies. I also do not feed any live mice, birds, etc, figuring that will likely spur his "hunter killer" tendencies.
I only had about a month of interaction after bringing him home initially, then he brumated for 7 months.
My biggest problem with him is his tendency to eat rocks when walking him outside. I understand they can be helpful for digestion, but I am trying to avoid having him eat too many or any that are too big. Honestly, I had to grab some that were nearly as big as his head out of his mouth.
Summarizing, I have treated him as you would a dog or a cat, and he has responded.
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purplewombat
New Member
- Messages
- 28
I also would periodically throw in a t-shirt that I had worn all day into his hiding area,
both initially and while he was brumating.
And when he was still smallish, I would wear two t-shirts, which allowed me to put him under the top one to keep him calm, and kept his sharp little baby lizard nails off my flesh !
both initially and while he was brumating.
And when he was still smallish, I would wear two t-shirts, which allowed me to put him under the top one to keep him calm, and kept his sharp little baby lizard nails off my flesh !
