Any way to get him used to handling?

[RedSidedSPR]

Thanks, that was pretty a helpful (and rather long winded) post. At least I know it's not just him... or me. I never grab him like that. I always hold my hand in there, let him come to me, scoop him from underneath, and slowly lift him out. I'll think for a second he's tolerating it pretty well, and then... I'm washing crap off my pants (uh.. not mine). Kinda hard to keep holding him when that's happening, and that's usually when I set him down. There has been a few times he's calmed down after a minute.. usually for a minute, but that's rare. I only pick him up a few times a week. I tried a while ago, holding him, sitting down in my lap, and offering him a fish(the fish in my lap and in my hand). Trying to make it a good experience for him, but he wouldn't calm down long enough to be interested in it.
I read somewhere that males are less tolerent than females.. is that the problem? He is a male...

[ConcinusMan]

I always hold my hand in there, let him come to me, scoop him from underneath, and slowly lift him out. I'll think for a second he's tolerating it pretty well, and then... I'm washing crap off my pants (uh.. not mine). Kinda hard to keep holding him when that's happening, and that's usually when I set him down.

There, you see? They are smart. You've taught him well. Poop, musk, squirm, and he gets what he wants. He gets set back down. but yeah, i've had males that were kept their entire lives in captivity. They do tend to be a bit high strung and less tolerant than females.

I may suggest that you don't immediately set him down when he behaves this way. Send the message that it doesn't bother you. Keep holding him until he calms down and stops squirming and musking. Then, and only then, put him back in his enclosure and leave him alone for the day. Same goes for biting. Most garters give up on that behavior once they realize it is not deterring you. The only way to let them know that, is to let them bite and not react by dropping them.