My beardie is restless lately

[abrack7022]

Hello. I don't post on here too much because I haven't really had too many issues. But, lately my dragon has been not wanting me to hold him at all. Here's a little recent history: I started back to college 2 weeks ago and my schedule is hectic. I've been feeding him and cleaning his mess up as normal schedule, but I haven't had a lot of time to handle him. I did adopt him last year from a girl that had him in a small tank with another dragon, and I don't think she handled him very much, if at all. Since I have had him he has always been pretty antsy when I hold him, he always seems to want to get away. He got better with me, he would let me pick him up and handle him and walk around with him, and I would put him down and let him walk around on his own some. Well, since I haven't handled him in over a week he seems to really get mad if I pick him up. I have been petting him everyday on his head (he does like that). I picked him up a few minutes ago and he puffed up really big and his beard turned black, and he tried to jump out of my hands!
Is it normal for them to act like this when not handled for a little while? Some advise would be greatly appreciated. 

[zebrajanie]

Yes it is normal for them to react like this...

Handling a dragon is just as important as cleaning and feeding.
Just try to schedule time each day to spend with your dragon, talking and holding him.. Eventually he will come around.

Hope this helps.

[abrack7022]

Thank you for the reply! I will definitely have to handle him everyday. Do you think I should just pick him up despite him fighting me? I don't want him to get stressed out about it. He really seems to not like me lately  :'(