I've heard that Sav's aren't really "loveable" at that age...from what I've heard them appearing docile just means that he's afraid and trying to get you not to eat him then when that doesn't work he'll change tatics and try something different...

Mine is doing the docile thing too...I'd really rather him bite and hiss and whip because it means he's healthy and acting like a monitor should, I do know you're not supposed to force handle, try letting him see you feed him and offer him food on blunt tongs so that he stops viewing you as a threat and more as a good thing that provides food.