Taking your bearded dragon outside can be a fun and beneficial experience for both you and your beardie. With just a few precautions, this is both safe and easy to do.
We wrote a complete guide to spending time outside with your bearded dragon that you can see here. But the number one rule we discuss there and that we’ll discuss here is that if you are going to do this, they must be in a harness attached to a leash at all times!
So when people ask if they can take their bearded dragon outside on a leash, the answer is not only yes, but it’s literally the only way you should ever take your bearded dragon outside of the house.
With time and patience, most bearded dragons can be trained to tolerate and even enjoy a harness and leash. This won’t work with every bearded dragon, but many will associate it with going outside in the sun, which they usually love. Harnesses should only be used on mature beardies over 15″ in length.
Keep in mind that using a harness and leash, even on a beardie who has grown to enjoy wearing one, does not mean you will be “walking” your bearded dragon. That’s just not how bearded dragons roll.
But just because you are not “walking” doesn’t mean you shouldn’t use them. As we noted, it’s mandatory gear for taking your beardie outside. And for a few excellent reasons!
Why you need a harness and leash for your bearded dragon
First of all, being outside isn’t the only reason to train your bearded dragon to use a harness and leash. There are plenty of times inside that this will be important.
Keep them from hiding.
If bearded dragons get scared, their first instinct is to run and hide under something. In our home, there is a lot of furniture that’s just too heavy to move. Our bed, a huge desk in our office, and our sectional couch are some examples.
If our beardie decides to hide under one of those things, we’d have to sit around and wait for her to come out. Even if we could move these large items, doing so would risk hurting her as she would surely try to move under the thing we were lifting.
If your beardie is likely to hide like this (and most are, one of the most commonly searched phrases in our search box is “how to find my bearded dragon”), using a leash and harness indoors might be a good idea. This will keep them safely corralled out of harm’s way and within your reach.
Keep them from jumping too far.
Another handy use for a harness and leash is for those of you with fearless/dumb bearded dragons. We can say that because our beloved little Bacardi fits in this category very well. She is both daring and adorably stupid sometimes.
She does not have the sense not to jump off of things that are too high. Tim, her Dad, is 6’6” tall, and more than once, she’s tried to jump off of his shoulder while he is standing.
The same goes if she’s on the back of the couch or even crawling across the bed. She’ll just jump and not even think twice about how far away the floor is.
If your beardie shares this ambition for death-defying leaps, a harness, and leash are almost a must, even if you never take them outside!
Take them to the vet.
For some beardies, this yearly trip to the vet will be the only time they ever get out of the house. This can easily freak them out.
When taking them to the vet, it can be a good idea to keep them in a harness and on a leash. This is true for the trip to the vet and while at the vet for their appointment.
Going outside
This is the most common reason to use a harness and leash.
Your bearded dragon may be the most docile, slow, easy-to-catch creature ever when inside your home. Once that bearded dragon is outside, however, it’s a whole new ball game! Outside, their instincts kick in, and they become hyper-vigilant, always on the lookout for predators.
If they even think they see a bird, a cat, or any other large object they could consider a threat, they will bolt. Suddenly your slow, lumbering beardie who never did more than walk while inside is now doing their best Usain Bolt impersonation and tearing across your yard to the closest thing they think might keep them from being eaten.
Even once you think your bearded dragon is fully adjusted to being outside, use a harness every time. It only takes being spooked once, and you have a lost bearded dragon on your hands.
Leashes are not for walking.
Too many people hear the word “leash” and envision themselves walking down the street with their beardie trotting along beside them. If that’s you, just forget about that idea. There is almost no chance that’s ever going to happen.
Here are a few of the reasons your bearded dragon shouldn’t be walked like a dog:
- They won’t do it. They aren’t dogs, and most simply won’t cooperate.
- They can easily be stepped on. All it takes is one accident, and it won’t be a good day for your or your bearded dragon.
- You can’t keep them safe from predators this way. Cats, hawks, owls, and small children all want to get their claws on your beardie. The only way to keep them safe when walking around is to carry them.
- You are a giant to them. Most beardies get freaked out when a human stands over them while they are on the floor. You would too!
Not all beardies can be leash trained.
We need to be really honest about this one. Not all beardies are going to take well to a leash or harness. Some will simply refuse, and you’ll never be able to get them adjusted.
Some beardies won’t care at all. Bearded dragons can be very chill like that. If this is your bearded dragon, count yourself lucky.
Most bearded dragons will fall somewhere between those two extremes. They won’t like it at first, but if you put in the effort and go slowly over time (see directions below), they’ll adjust and even come to like being in the harness.
This is especially true if they associate it with being out in direct sunlight. A bearded dragon who has adjusted well to being taken outside would rather be nowhere else than in the sun.
So be patient and try your best, but at some point, it will be evident that you might own one of the bearded dragons that just isn’t going to do the harness and leash thing. And that’s okay! There’s no need to force the issue.
Age and size guidelines for bearded dragon harnesses
If your bearded dragon isn’t at least 15” long or longer, please don’t try to force them into a harness. While harnesses come in multiple sizes (usually small, medium, and large), smaller bearded dragons can easily escape a harness that seems to be the right size.
It’s also essential that your bearded dragon has grown hardy enough to handle being on a harness and leash. They may pull or jerk on them, and younger, smaller dragons could face an injury.
Once they reach that 15” mark, they are usually more than durable enough to handle any incidental pulling or tugging (On their part only! Never pull or tug the leash to try to get your beardie to walk!)
This also eliminates younger beardies from the mix. And it’s more than their size deficiency that should exclude them. Younger bearded dragons are naturally more rambunctious. They are more likely to try to get out of the harness in the first place.
They are also more likely to run away, try to hide, or otherwise cause issues that older beardies are less apt to cause.
For that reason, save the harness for older bearded dragons that are 15” long or longer, and you’ll be in great shape!
What type of harness and leash to buy a bearded dragon
You will have a few choices of what to buy, and like everything else in the world, there are both good and bad options. Here are some general guidelines for buying an effective harness and leash for your beardie.
Rule number one is to always go with a harness. Never use a collar or anything else that is strung around the neck of your bearded dragon! This can easily cause injury or death. It’s also easier for your beardie to escape than a proper harness.