One thing I find work well is to find a group of adventurers to look after until you grow old enough to reliably guard a territory. Then they can work as some good company afterward, and you already have a head start on cool loot!
THE PLIGHT OF A YOUNG DRAGON
BY A.M. DRAGON
TRY TO PROTECT TRADE ROUTES AND KILL BANDITS,
THEY CALL YOU AN EVIL SERPENT AND HUNT YOU.
TRY TO WARM RICH FOLK'S HOUSES IN WINTER,
THEY CALL YOU A SLAVE AND TELL YOU TO LIBERATE YOURSELF.
TRY TO LIVE IN THE COUNTRY,
AND THE ANCIENTS TRY TO KILL YOU FOR,
"EATING THEIR FOOD AND TAKING THEIR TREASURE".
HARD OUT HERE FOR A YOUNG DRAGON.
