Re: I don't think you are losing any ground if you keep on going. We've

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Posted by Michelle B on November 07, 2001 at 08:01:38:

In Reply to: I don't think you are losing any ground if you keep on going. We've posted by JNelson on November 06, 2001 at 11:41:54:

I would have to say that he will be fine if you just keep going. Actually it is probably better that he learn that you are not going to bug him every time you come near his tank. Does he have a lot of good hiding areas in his cage? Mine could hide so good in all the silk plants in his cage when he was smaller that I would have to literally open it up and pat down the back of the enclosure to find him. He didn't freak much (until he was found) since he felt so secure.

My two cents on the whole top iguana thing also... If you are trying to catch him to bring him out for petting, taming session, bath, whatever, and he is frantically running and dodging you, I would sometimes give mine time to cool down before I go for him again. Just like when working with dogs and horses (and probably any other animal) you have not ruined all the training with one mistake, nor does one instance of the iguana "winning" define your entire relationship. (just don't let him "win" regularly!) Usually after calming down, I could catch him much easier, and the time together was more enjoyable than it would have been had I finally nabbed a frantic lizard, and was trying to convince him I wasn't going to eat him for dinner...

Also, I know this is already long, but I thought it was interesting that J said he has an iguana who freaks when you wear white around him. I once had an iguana who would attack you if you wore a black hat around him. He would also charge if you had very dark hair. He was large, so instead of freaking out when you came near with black on your head, he would bob his head, then charge! I always wondered what was behind that behavior...

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: I would have to say that he will be fine if you just keep going. Actually it is probably better that he learn that you are not going to bug him every time you come near his tank. Does he have a lot of good hiding areas in his cage? Mine could hide so good in all the silk plants in his cage when he was smaller that I would have to literally open it up and pat down the back of the enclosure to find him. He didn't freak much (until he was found) since he felt so secure. : My two cents on the whole top iguana thing also... If you are trying to catch him to bring him out for petting, taming session, bath, whatever, and he is frantically running and dodging you, I would sometimes give mine time to cool down before I go for him again. Just like when working with dogs and horses (and probably any other animal) you have not ruined all the training with one mistake, nor does one instance of the iguana "winning" define your entire relationship. (just don't let him "win" regularly!) Usually after calming down, I could catch him much easier, and the time together was more enjoyable than it would have been had I finally nabbed a frantic lizard, and was trying to convince him I wasn't going to eat him for dinner... : Also, I know this is already long, but I thought it was interesting that J said he has an iguana who freaks when you wear white around him. I once had an iguana who would attack you if you wore a black hat around him. He would also charge if you had very dark hair. He was large, so instead of freaking out when you came near with black on your head, he would bob his head, then charge! I always wondered what was behind that behavior...

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