Handling

[Allie30]

So I've had Wilfred for a couple of months now and have only really handled him twice. He really doesn't like me going near him, he puffs up, hisses and goes to bite me He's generally ok when I'm in and out of his enclosure cleaning etc (unless I get too close) and he will eat bugs from a lid that I'm holding (not from hand just yet). Its a real struggle to pick him up at the moment, he does a good job of intimidating me and also I'm scared of hurting him if he panics and falls! Once I'm holding him he completely chills out.

Do you guys think I should persevere and he will get better in time or is this just the way he is? I don't want to keep stressing him out unnecessarily.

I would love him to come over to me like I've seen others do or at least stay still for me but all he does at the moment is run away

 

[squeekz1992]

So I've had Wilfred for a couple of months now and have only really handled him twice. He really doesn't like me going near him, he puffs up, hisses and goes to bite me He's generally ok when I'm in and out of his enclosure cleaning etc (unless I get too close) and he will eat bugs from a lid that I'm holding (not from hand just yet). Its a real struggle to pick him up at the moment, he does a good job of intimidating me and also I'm scared of hurting him if he panics and falls! Once I'm holding him he completely chills out.

Do you guys think I should persevere and he will get better in time or is this just the way he is? I don't want to keep stressing him out unnecessarily.

I would love him to come over to me like I've seen others do or at least stay still for me but all he does at the moment is run away

I don't know if it will work for you, but when Pascal gives me attitude like that I take him out anyway. Pascal and I have a REALLY tight relationship, and he trusts me completely, but I've had him since he was hatched. Once you get him out of the cage, should be fine and less grumpy. As far as falling goes, Pascal walks off of me all the time and takes a tumble and he's fine. Of course I baby him afterwards, but I would definitely try showing Wilfred that you are in charge, not him, and work on building that trust. It's totally worth it

 

[Allie30]

Yes I am going to have to bite the bullet, so to speak. Hopefully with a bit of bravery and perseverance I will get that bond you and pascal have

 

[carol5208]

I say keep pursuing it! My chameleon intimidated me in the beginning too but I did not give up. I used a branch for him to climb on and I also opened his cage door and stuck a large tall ficus potted plant outside the door and he would come out and climb on that and then I would try and get him to climb on my hand. It did not work right away but eventually he figured out I was not going to hurt him and he started to just climb right on.

 

[squeekz1992]

Yes I am going to have to bite the bullet, so to speak. Hopefully with a bit of bravery and perseverance I will get that bond you and pascal have

I hope so too it's really fun once they realize you're safe. He sleeps on me too Just be patient and he'll get the picture

 

[Hoj]

it may be a little extreme but anytime one of my guys gaps and hisses at me i put finger right up to their mouth as to say "go ahead" and alot of the tiome they calm down and then grab my figer and walk on its kinda funny really
also try taking him out and doing positive things for him like a feeder treat, some real sunshine or just a bit of freerange time in a safe tree in your house, he may come to assosiate you with positive results and then be egar to see you.
thats what i did with my guy gizmo and he loves to just chill on my shoulder while do things around the house. its our adventure time

 

[Allie30]

Thanks guys, I feel more confident about it already

Thanks Carol for the useful tips, I will try the branch method 2moro.

 

[ChamomilleCame]

Experiment this: (might not work, but it's worth a shot )
When the cham gets pissed off, blow on it gently. Whenever my cham does it to me it seems to work I've never seen anyone do it, but it kinda chills them down. But if he bites, use a towel or something haha