Re: testy Ig

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Posted by iZ's mom on June 06, 2000 at 20:36:20:

In Reply to: testy Ig posted by Meredith on June 06, 2000 at 18:20:25:

how big is Glen???
remember that in their natural habitat, igs are food for just about everyone and it's instinct to run from anything bigger than themselves ... it can take a long time for an ig to begin to *really believe* that you are *not* gonna eat him, we're awfully big ya know! (*grin*) ... it does take lots of time + *patience* most of all ...

sounds like you're doin' the right things by handling him + talking to him, etc! hmmmm, some random thoughts for ya tho ... it can make a huge difference in what level you're at when you approach him ... try to be at least level if not lower than his eye level, don't 'loom' over him ... (iZ has been with me 3.5 yrs but will still spaz out if i try to pick him up off the floor from a standing position ... (that lesson *hurt*!)

make sure you don't accidently sneak up on him + startle him ... i always start talking to iZ *way* before i get near him ... sometimes he zones out in his basking spot and just doesn't hear me walking, even in our creaky old house ... when starled, their instinct is to run or attack ... (iZ attacks, not runs btw)

uuuummmmm ... iZ has taught me that he feels safer, less like falling, (+ less like fighting!) when i put one hand under his body ('tween his legs, + the base of his tail) *First* and *then* my other hand underneath his upper chest whe i'm gonna pick him up ...

a daily schedule helps too ... do the same things at the same time every day ... that way Glen will learn what to expect + when to expect it and life won't be so scary ...

igs don't "tame" the same as cats/dogs do ... but they can learn to know + more importantly *trust* us, it just takes time, patience + (dare i say it?) love! *grin*

hope some of my rambling helps ...
iZ's mom

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: how big is Glen??? : remember that in their natural habitat, igs are food for just about everyone and it's instinct to run from anything bigger than themselves ... it can take a long time for an ig to begin to *really believe* that you are *not* gonna eat him, we're awfully big ya know! (*grin*) ... it does take lots of time + *patience* most of all ... : sounds like you're doin' the right things by handling him + talking to him, etc! hmmmm, some random thoughts for ya tho ... it can make a huge difference in what level you're at when you approach him ... try to be at least level if not lower than his eye level, don't 'loom' over him ... (iZ has been with me 3.5 yrs but will still spaz out if i try to pick him up off the floor from a standing position ... (that lesson *hurt*!) : make sure you don't accidently sneak up on him + startle him ... i always start talking to iZ *way* before i get near him ... sometimes he zones out in his basking spot and just doesn't hear me walking, even in our creaky old house ... when starled, their instinct is to run or attack ... (iZ attacks, not runs btw) : uuuummmmm ... iZ has taught me that he feels safer, less like falling, (+ less like fighting!) when i put one hand under his body ('tween his legs, + the base of his tail) *First* and *then* my other hand underneath his upper chest whe i'm gonna pick him up ... : a daily schedule helps too ... do the same things at the same time every day ... that way Glen will learn what to expect + when to expect it and life won't be so scary ... : igs don't "tame" the same as cats/dogs do ... but they can learn to know + more importantly *trust* us, it just takes time, patience + (dare i say it?) love! *grin* : hope some of my rambling helps ... : iZ's mom

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