Image credit: NagyDodo/Shutterstock
Vanessa Bortolina
Imagine this scenario: you’re walking your dog through the neighborhood, and all of a sudden you see an owner walking a reptile. It might seem like a bizarre scenario, but many pet owners wonder if it could happen to them or their reptile friends. Here, we ask experts whether leash training your reptile is a good idea and how to go about it.
Can reptiles be leash trained?
The short answer is yes, but you should keep a few important considerations in mind. “In theory, almost any animal can be trained to various degrees,” says Lisa Abo, M.D., Ph.D. Woods Hole Science Aquarium And that Capron Park Zoo In Massachusetts, though, it’s more complicated than it seems.
“Reptiles can be leash trained, but it takes a lot of dedication from the owner,” she says. “Even if you do everything right, some animals can get strayed.” [pets] “They may never accept being put on a leash.” As with any pet, success is complicated and depends on the breed of pet as well as their individual personality.
How do I know if my reptile is suitable for lead training?
Reptiles that are best suited to leash training tend to enjoy being handled and are less aggressive, which is somewhat predictable by species but also depends on individual temperament, Abo said.
Reptiles, like all animals, have personalities and some are easier to handle than others. Some species, such as bearded dragons and geckos, tend to be docile and easy to handle, so leash training may work well. On the other hand, anoles and chameleons tend to dislike being handled and may be more difficult to leash train.
Margaret Whisman, veterinarian Avian and Exotic Animal Veterinary Consultantagrees that temperament is a big factor. [reptiles] “They may even be seen happily walking around with their owners in a harness, or sitting happily on their owner’s shoulder while walking around,” she says. It’s also a matter of trust, so docile reptiles that let their owners handle them, and even seem to enjoy being handled, are the best candidates, she says.
“[Leash training] “It’s not a good choice for timid or temperamental animals. The reason why reptiles are more difficult to lead train than other animals may have to do with motivation, sociability and stress levels,” she added.
Not sure if your reptile is prone to stress? Common signs of stressed reptiles include agitation, aggression, or even changes in skin color that are only seen in certain species. For example, bearded dragons turn dark under their chins, or “beards,” when they’re stressed or agitated. Meanwhile, stressed iguanas will swing their tails and hit you in the hand or face, says Wissman. And as you might imagine, “biting and open-mouth postures are also signs of a stressed, threatened animal,” says Wissman. Beyond these obvious signs, reptiles can also show chronic stress by changing their eating and defecation habits, spending more time hiding or in the same area of their enclosure, or exhibiting unusual shedding patterns, says Abbo.
To optimize leash training, you need to provide a suitable habitat (more on that below), keep your reptile as stress-free as possible, and handle it properly. Routinely handling your pet in a non-threatening manner is important not only for its future in leash training, but for general socialization. “In other words,” says Wisman, “don’t jump on your lizard and grab it, as that can often scare it and trigger a fight-or-flight adrenaline response.”
instead, Reptile habitatApproach your pet slowly and pick it up or let it climb onto your hand. Repeated gentle handling can be effective in taming a timid lizard, but some lizards just won’t get used to being handled at all, says Wisman.
What equipment do I need?
Both experts recommend using harnesses rather than collars, as they distribute tension if your pet pulls, minimizing injury, and Wissman says reptiles can easily slip out of collars and escape.
Look for something that’s easily adjustable so it fits snugly around your lizard’s body (but not too tight), Abo said — be careful, of course, if your lizard has a protruding spine. [backbone] Be careful not to damage the spines with a harness, and Wissman says he’s heard of some owners ordering custom harnesses for their species, or even using ferret harnesses that work well with some reptiles.
Reptile Lead Training Tips
Let’s start early: “Ideally, you start with young animals,” says Abo, who recommends handling the animal briefly each day and closely observing its behavior to determine if it’s stressed. Stress typically comes from situations that the reptile finds frightening, which can manifest as aggression.
Please adjust: “We recommend housing and training your reptile in a room that’s close to the reptile’s preferred room temperature, which for commonly kept reptiles is usually in the 75-85 degree Fahrenheit range,” Abo says. This is also the time to get your scaly friend used to wearing a harness, Wissman says.
Start slow and work your way forward. After carefully considering whether your reptile can tolerate an outdoor environment, start slowly and keep interactions positive, says Abo. “If the animal becomes difficult to handle or aggressive, stop the session, but make sure to end it on a positive note.” One negative experience with a harness and lead can undo weeks of work.
Maintain a positive environment: As mentioned above, most reptiles are comfortable in warm climates. Exposure to hot sunlight can be stressful, which may lead to them becoming more aggressive or active than they would be in a controlled environment, says Wisman. That’s why it’s important to make sure your reptiles are kept within their average optimal temperature range, which varies by species.
Offer: “Feeding an animal its favorite food every time you handle it also increases the chances that it will be amenable to social interactions with you,” Abo says. While it may be beneficial to feed your reptile when handling or training it, you should be careful not to make it too hungry, Abo says, which can make it aggressive. For some reptiles, earthworms and other insects can be a good treat. Turtles may also like chopped leafy vegetables.
Be aware of your surroundings: While your bearded dragon may be your beloved pet, it’s important to remember that some people consider reptiles scary. Be a good pet owner by being strategic about when to go for walks and when to hold off, says Wisman. In addition to being a good neighbor, you want to minimize the stress and tension your pet reptile experiences, increasing the chances that it will get used to the whole on-leash walking process. That means not taking your pet around local schools or dog parks. Other people may be afraid of your reptile, or your reptile may be afraid of them.
A private backyard or outdoor space is an ideal place to start walking your reptile, as noise and potential stress can be more controlled in this environment. If you don’t have a private place, use your best judgment about when and where to walk your pet. Pick a time of day that is quietest, with the least traffic and interruptions. Also, pick a time of day that has the best temperature for training your reptile (as mentioned above).
Are there any advantages to lead training reptiles?
Absolutely! First, and perhaps most obvious, leash-based walking is a safe way to get your reptile outside. “Being outside gives your reptile the natural light they need, and it also provides mental stimulation for your animal, reducing stress,” says Abo.
Whisman agrees that while sunlight from outdoors is certainly beneficial, pet owners shouldn’t rely on it entirely. She recommends that natural light should always be paired with a good-quality UVB bulb. She recommends fluorescent or compact fluorescent bulbs with a UVB index of 0.5 to 1.0, placed 12 to 18 inches away from the animal, and that aren’t filtered through glass or plastic to block UV rays.
“The bulbs will continue to give off light, but the UVB portion will decrease after six months or so, so all bulbs should be replaced every six months,” says Wisman. The UV bulbs should be on as part of your regular lighting and on a normal day-night cycle, the length of which can vary by species (unfortunately, many people use a 12-hour on, 12-hour off cycle, which doesn’t work for all reptiles).
Abo said spending time outdoors with pet reptiles strengthens the bond between owner and pet and improves the quality of life for both lizard and owner.
