I have similar problems with Gracie. She tangles so easily and she must be groomed each night or the rats just get too bad. I bought a detangler spray at the pet store and it works good. I use a fine tooth metal comb and just start slowly on her top where the tangles are too bad. I make sure to have lots of treats handy and when she stands/lays quietly for me to do a section I give her a treat. After doing a couple of sections I let her down for a break. Her belly and underarms are the worse areas. She seems most comfortable laying next to me on the couch, and really has issue of being on her back. So I kinda lay her over on her back/side and go slowly. More treats and breaks for smaller areas when doing her tummy. We've been working on this for a couple of months now and she is finally getting a little more resigned to it. Still not happy, but not near as wiggly.
My one piece of advice is don't give up while he's wiggling. Keep after him to be still and when he is then reward. When I realized Gracie's aversion to having her tummy done, I would just put her on her side and "comb" her with the backside of the comb. If she stayed still then treats and release. If she wiggled, then she had to stay and submit before I let her go. I can now, somewhat, comb her tummy with little fuss. I will probably have to cut out some rats that have developed but she is much more willing to let me comb her tummy now.
Good luck and just be calm and persistent. He'll eventually get better. |