A question about Igs biting things.

[Thunder380Lady]

The first time I tried to put Lenores harness and leash on, she managed to grab the leash and bite it.
She had a good bit of it in her mouth too.
I had one heck of a time trying to get it out of her mouth. She would not open her mouth for anything.
So I sat there with her for almost 10 minutes before she finally decided to open her mouth and release the leash. I was so afraid she was going to try to swallow what she did have in her mouth so I kept a slight pull on it until she released it. My question is when Igs do get things in their mouth that shouldn't be there, whats the best way to get them to let it go, without getting bit in the process? Is waiting the only option?

Karen

[mar]

I have used two routes depending on how Bob has a hold of something.

First off when he is getting aggressive I entice him to bite a shirt or bandana (something soft that won't hurt him or get hurt) then not allow him to let go of it for a few seconds. This is the same idea as holding onto a puppy’s jaw for a few seconds when he bites your hand rather than a toy. Bob no longer even feigns biting because he knows it won't get anywhere.

If the ig has the middle of something -- leash, fabric, wallet (yes mine has a perforated double arc matching Bob's teeth), etc -- where you can get a hold of both sides I gently push the item back against him. It is natural for a bitten thing to pull away not approach. He always wonders what is going on and lets go, I then hold it there for a few seconds and he quits biting it, worked every time I have need it to.

I have also been able to roll a pencil or like rod between his mouth and what is bitten. Put it against his nose and roll it under and into his mouth.

The other way I have heard of but never needed to try was a cotton ball or cloth with a bit of rubbing alcohol on it and place it in front of his nose. I think this would only be for extreme measures like if he latched on to a finger or chin. Don't get it in his mouth: the denaturing agent is also what is added so that it can be distilled so far is usually either benzene (causes blindness) or the active ingredient of exlax type drugs.

Mark

[Diane]

I have also heard that if you cover their eyes with your hand, they will let go.

[SurvivorSteph]

I plugged Gil's nose when he bit me once... he hadn't figured out that he could hold his breath for a loooong time, though.

You can also pull gently on the dewlap BUT be VERY careful not to injure the small bone that runs along the front of it.

[IguanaKing]

Karen,

What color is the leash? Its color might be a big part of the problem. Also, I have found that putting your ig in a bath of luke-warm water will get them to let go (I've had to use this method sometimes to get my finger back

Sean

[ig_daddy]

Iggi doesn't bite, but I have read that if you keep a little Vodka in a spray bottle, you can spray some into an ig's mouth, to make them let go after biting. Than I guess you spray some into your mouth, to releive the pain! LOL! ;D