My Bearded Dragon, Fluffy

Question
Hi Thea!
Thank you for taking the time to read this.
My family has a one-year-old bearded dragon named Fluffy. We haven't had many problems at all with her. When we first got her, she was about 5 months old and very hyper. She didn't like to be held for long periods of time because of all of her energy. We clipped her nails just as she was coming out of burmation this past winter because the nails were getting really long and she would be calmer during her burmating period. We're afraid to hurt her if we cut her nails when she's very active, but we're not too sure if someone at a pet store would be able to handle her without hurting her either. Do you think it would be okay if we just clipped her nails once every winter and also purchased a rock for her to naturally shorten her nails on by scratching?
Also, when we first got her, she seemed very confused by her habitat and would repeatedly scratch up against the glass walls, almost trying to climb up them. As she grew accustomed to her environment, this behavior seemed to extinguish itself, but recently, in the past week or so, she's picked up on this behavior again. Usually, when it's time for her afternoon vegetables, I just put carrot pieces or collard greens into her food bowl, and after hand-feeding her one or two pieces, she knows to go to her food bowl and eat the rest by herself. However, recently, she seems to get confused and will only eat if I feed her by hand. Even then, sometimes, she seems to not see or or want the food, and will walk away and proceed to scratch on the glass.
She does this very often now, out of the blue, she'll come down from underneath her heat lamp and start clawing at the walls. Do you know if something is wrong, or is this behavior normal?
Finally, she has been defecating in random places. She has always been doing this, and we haven't really seen a problem in it. Often, she will relieve herself in her large water bowl. Do you think we should train her to poop in a certain spot, such as on top of a square paper towel piece? Or is this not possible/unnecessary?

Thank you again for your time!

~Sneha

Answer
Hi Sneha,

I suspect that the restless behaviour and reduced interest in food is likely related to the time of year and her age. This is her first spring (mating season) as a sexually mature dragon.

New animals will usually test the limits of the enclosure and her active hormones are probably triggering the same behaviour now. Many reptiles do not deal well with the concept of clear glass and will claw at it for long periods. She will likely settle down again as the season passes. Her usual appetite should return once she is less distracted by the urge to breed.

Some reptiles like leopard geckos  use a "latrine" corner and almost always defecate in the same place but that is a natural behaviour for them. I have never known beardeds to display that and I doubt it is something you could effectively train them for. Being in water often triggers a bowel movement in reptiles which is why you are finding droppings in her water.  Some keepers will take advantage of that response by soaking them briefly every day and having them poop in the water instead of the enclosure.

You might try clipping her nails in the morning before the lights have come on and she has warmed up. The less they can see, the calmer they tend to be. Wrapping her lightly in a small towel (including her head) helps to keep them still during nail clipping and other procedures. Having a second pair of hands really helps. Getting used to exerting gentle but firm restraint can take a bit of practice.  I always keep some "blood stop" powder nearby when clipping nails. It is available at any pet store and quickly stops accidental bleeding.

Once a year clipping should be enough unless the nail length is interfering with her walking/climbing or causing injury to you.