I’ve had my girl, Stevie, for a little under two weeks. I’ve handled her twice in that amount of time, she was marginally better the second time. But still attempts to run away. The cave in her tank is her hide, it’s on the cool side and she sleeps there. But it has also become her “safe space“, if she sees me in the room, she immediately goes from her into the cave. I’ve been trying to read as many threads in here as possible, all with varying pieces of information. Things like it will just take her a while to get comfortable, could be more than a month … versus handle them as much as possible, even when they don’t want it.
I’m on the fence with pulling her from the cave/hide, however, because I’m worried this will not give her a place where she truly does feel safe and calm. I don’t know if I should be forcing the situation or just letting it evolve naturally.
In addition, I will be taking her to her first vet visit on Tuesday, which was the first date they could get me in, and I feel this might be a setback to her feelings of safety. I think I’m a little bit confused because I’ve raised birds and dogs, which are both affectionate to different degrees. I’m trying to keep reminding myself that beardies don’t have the capacity for actual feelings or connections in the way that a dog or a bird does. Let me reiterate, it’s not that they don’t have the capacity for anything, it’s just definitely not on the same level as other animals I’ve had.
Any help and advice is most welcome. Thank you!
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