Welcome, YorkiesRule!!
Sounds like you already have all the good advice!! My "secret" to Toto's grooming is
consistency!
I began the "brushing" fights when we first brought her home [I bathe her every week ... two shampoos & at least a minute or more soaking with conditioner on ... then a thorough rinse ... I use Coat Handlers] ... always use diluted conditioner to mist the coat while brushing to prevent breakage. After a few weeks she would lay on her back for me and began to really enjoy brushing! I do massage her and get her really relaxed and sleepy [usually during our morning snuggle] ... then brush her. Toto is a year old now and the other day I really felt like I had "graduated" ... I got her grooming stuff ready and when I sat down on the sofa with one of her little fleece beds on my lap and the brush in my hand ... instead of her looking like she was going to the gallows or making me go get her ... she happily jumped up on my lap and laid down!! She looked at me like "I'm ready ... lets brush!!!"
It takes a lot of patience but I do love her long shiny coat and her little topknot!! We were terrified of her when we first brought her home ... she was 16 weeks and weighed 1 lb. 8 ozs. ... she is 4 lbs. now and we are still afraid of her sometimes!!
