Commah's becomming a...

[KatelinLovesCommah]

Commah's becomming a jerk!
Ever since I moved him into his brand new big boy enclosure, I can't stick my hand in to even give him crickets without him getting all crazily colored and he sometimes hisses. OBVIOUSLY i know that chammies aren't the friendliest reptiles, but I want him to be atleast pleasent!
That being said, I have a couple questions:

1) He just tured 5 months old... Is it puberty? Will it ever end?! Will he ever go back to being nice?
2) IS it puberty... Or cage agression (is that possible in chammies?)? -He is typically much sweeter when he gets out of the cage, but sometimes still gets all puffy if my hand gets in his way.
3) When he goes to hiss/bite, should I let him bite me? On another discussion someone said it shows them that we are "boss"... does that achually work?
4) Should I totally leave him alone, or should I swamp him with sweetness?

Really- I just want a chammie that wont attack my hand everytime I touch him.

 

[Get bunkered]

I don't know about letting them bite you're hand ?? But I know that you have to take them out even if they are hissing and trying to bite you, so that they will learn that hissing and bitting won't stop you from handling them so basically keep holding it and don't put it away until it's called down and not bitting at you then it will eventually learn

 

[HolyToledo]

if he bites do your best not to jump or pull away. he can draw blood if you pull away and drag across his teeth. but as young as he is if he finds out that biting doesn't scare you off, hopefully he will give up and quit biting. I have met lots that this worked with. but there are exceptions and, just my luck, I have a male that is still mean no matter what I have tried. hope you have better luck.

 

[MollyT]

Well I'm glad I'm not the only one with a little meanie! haha Kush is such a jerk! He is really good at hand feeding, but even when I'm feeding him, if my hand gets too close for comfort....he will hiss and try to bite. He actually bit me the other day! I was surprised at how strong his little jaws are! He's only 4 months old, but he got me good! It didn't break the skin, but I had teeth marks where he bit me. I don't know what to do to help them be less scared. Like you, I know that they aren't cuddly pets and I'm not getting my hopes up about him ever being really fond of me. All I want is to be able to pick him up when I need to. For vet visits or if I want to take him outside to free range a little bit. To do that I would have to be able to pick him up. I don't know....I wish I could help you more. Just know that you aren't the only one. If you find anything that works, let me know, and I will do the same. Good luck!!

 

[lovepicasso]

I don't know what I would do if Picasso ever bit me, he is so tame now and gets handled a lot everyday, it doesn't matter how we pick him up he is nice, my husband said to put my hand in front of him and if he turns away or doesn't step onto my finger, to just leave him alone, this has worked really well with him......he said that picking him up like I do sometimes, may start him to becoming a little jerk.......I sure hope yours will tame down soon.