Handling my bearded dragon

[maddriver73]

Hi,
I bought my first beardie, about a month ago now and he is about 4/5 months old.  He is settled in and eating fine.  He allows me to stroke him on his head, neck and back but when it comes to picking him up, he runs off.  Have used my hands to make a continuous bridge for him to run through as advised in your previous posts.  I am down at his level and try to pick him up from the side of him.  Unfortunately he can sometimes run quicker than my hands can move and then jumps away.  I do this inside the Viv as I am worried he will jump out of my hands and run off around the room and I wont be able to catch him again.  Also thought that keeping him in his own environment will be less stressful for him until he is happy to be handled.  Can anyone give me any more advice on this or any other tips to get him to come willingly into my hand to be petted??
Many thanks, in advance

Jason

[ladyknite]

"happy to be handled" isn't something he'll naturally become.

Try using a small towel, the size of a dish towel.  Allowing him to run away from you only encourages the behavior.  Maybe use a treat, such as a piece of fruit to entice him.  Wrap the towel around him kind of burrito style and snuggle him up in it.  it'll provide security, and protection, and is more difficult for him just to take off on you.

[Shankerkid]

Yes another suggestion is putting your hand near it and putting a treat on you hand and letting it crawl up on its own.

[Mushu]

Put one on your hand and one in the middle of your arm. Both of mine walked right up my arm that way.