Time, time and more time. They can be nasty like iguanas and you just have to be persistent and very careful! Dont give up, a couple of days is nothing to her,, the taming process will take a long long time.

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I have sucker tattood on my forehead

I don't know the specifics of you getting this Tegu, but why would you take in a Tegu without knowing anything about them? Was this a rescue? I ask because your initial post states that you were going to buy one.

If you already haven't, I would advise you to locate some literature on Tegus. (Not caresheets, but books.)

Taming is a process, not an event. That means that it won't take a week, but rather months of continual work. Its also possible that the tegu will never tame down.

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i would also like to add, that any change in an environment is going to stress out an animal. I would leave it in its enclosure for a full week before handling at all. Give it a chance to take in the new view and realize you are the one bringing it food.

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My name is Liz
Do what's best for the animal, not what's best for you.

Well, You've got a 3 foot tegu and you're just now learning about them. You've definetly got a case on your hands! But all is not lost!
I'd say the hard breathing is actually a form of hissing. Maybe you should just leave him alone for a while to get used to his new surroundings before you try to handle him every day.
Do you have any history on this animal from the previous owner? How often he was handled? Did the previous owner offer any guidelines?
You are definetly going through a learning curve on this animal! The more questions and research the better.
There's no "Stupid Questions" here!

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Git'er Done!

Hello SimpleGirl,

Welcome to Herp Center!!! Hope you get the advice you need, and please enjoy the site!

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Smile and the world will think that you are up to something!

Steve

Welcome to HerpCenter!
You have to remember that this is not a puppy. This is a wild animal and a reptile. It will not react the same way as a mmmal pet and may never be what you would think of as "friendly". It may learn to tolerate you but then again it may not. If it was mistreated before, you may have your work cut out for you.

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Merlin,
What's Life Without A Little Magic!