Tips for Braiding tails.... (for cleanliness)

[deonk1]

My poor pooch has had numerous "bum baths" this month cause he's been sick. Between a bacterial infection, allergies, and now suspected IBS he's had lots of diarrhoea. (Working with a vet on the medical issues, we're trying elimination diets).

So I forecast some more diarrhoea in the next coming weeks until I get him back on a balanced diet with no allergens.

So I keep him in a full coat normally, and well it makes a rotten mess... So I've shaved around his bum, and kinda puppy cut the back so that his rear isn't as hairy, in hopes that he doesn't get poo stuck.

I don't want to shorten his tail, so I've decided to braid it... so that it lifts clean out of the way of anything stinky and dirty. I know how to plait a horse's tail, but his is so short and tiny, that I'm struggling. Anyone have any tips on how to get a nice braid without killing your fingers... I'm going to keep practicing, ideally I'd like to get it tight and clean looking enough that I don't need to redo it 3 times a day (which btw is less effort than if I had to bath him every single time he poos).