taming your tegu

[cody.bell]

my tegu is only 3-4 months old now and he doesnt really like to be held i know this is probably normal he doesnt bite or anything its just he runs and hides but when i finally pick him up all he does is try to run some more.

now what im asking is if anybody knows any ways i can get him to like me any more. i have heard you can put a shirt of yours in his cage and leave it for a few days so it can get used to your scent if this is good reply and let me know if you know of any other ways let me know people! thanks!

 

[isdrake]

For starters I think you should just spend much time around the enclosure so that he can get used to your presence and realize that you're not a threat. If he's okay with that you can start sitting by the enclosure while it's open.

I think that taking small steps is the key and it seems to work with our Tegu who has always been very cautious. Try to just hold your hand inside the enclosure without touching him and then hold your hand near him without touching . You don't want him to think that every time you opens the enclosure you will grab him. As time goes and he accepts you more you can go further. Touch him without lifting is a good idea.

And then you do start lifting don't lift him out of the enclosure just hold him a little above the ground and let him run if he want to. Eventually he will start to accept it.

 

[Guest]

For starters I think you should just spend much time around the enclosure so that he can get used to your presence and realize that you're not a threat. If he's okay with that you can start sitting by the enclosure while it's open.

I think that taking small steps is the key and it seems to work with our Tegu who has always been very cautious. Try to just hold your hand inside the enclosure without touching him and then hold your hand near him without touching . You don't want him to think that every time you opens the enclosure you will grab him. As time goes and he accepts you more you can go further. Touch him without lifting is a good idea.

And then you do start lifting don't lift him out of the enclosure just hold him a little above the ground and let him run if he want to. Eventually he will start to accept it.

+1 I agree with this entire post. Taking baby steps is the only way to gain the trust. They have to feel confident that you are not a threat.

 

[Kingwolf26]

the first thing I did with my new giant when he was freaking out was put him in a tub of water that had gotten cold overnight and he when from super freak to super cold and chilled out and I took him out and warmed him with my body and since then he has been abducted in the mind

 

[txrepgirl]

I would try to get him out of the enclosure as soon as he wakes up and put him in between two shirts ( with a belt on so he can't fall out ). This way he will feel save because now you are his hiding place and he will like the warmth of your body. He also gets to smell your skin and will get used to you much faster this way. I have done this shirt trick with all six of my Tegus and it worked great.

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[J.LRegius]

This worked well for my tegu but might not with others: I would use food to get him onto my lap and once he sat still I rewarded him with it. Never feed him like this, only give him snacks when you do this such as a grape or a strawberry. This excercise is supposed to build up trust and remember to use tongs when doing so.