Leash With Care

People seem to have the best luck leash-training iguanas but there may be a few others out there who've successfully leash-trained other reptiles. When used improperly, leashes can be dangerous to your pet, so proceed with care. Be especially mindful of his spike as leashes can wear them down over time.

Leashes can be very helpful in keeping your pet safe outside. It also allows you the chance to expose your pet to healthy sunlight without worrying about it scampering up the nearest tree. Even with a great amount of patience, though, some iguanas never accept a leash. Some may even become aggressive when you attempt to keep them on a leash.

Keep your expectations realistic. Your reptile pet will never heel like a dog. Rather, the leash will simply act as a safety device as your iguana walks you. Give your pet some time to get used to the leash. Buy a harness style leash specially designed for iguanas and try it for increasingly longer periods of time in the house before you venture outside for a lengthy leash training session. Start with just the harness and then add the leash. When you do venture outside, keep a close eye on your pet for signs of nervousness or aggression. And remember that if you have a pet that is temperamental or skittish by nature, leash training may just not be an option.