Next time you're going in to pick him up just close your eyes before your hand is in strike range. You know you're going to get tagged as usual but without seeing it you won't have that hand jerk reaction(hopefully).. With a bit of practice you should be able train yourself out of that reflex. As an added bonus it'll probably help with the taming process. Once he stops thinking his attitude is scaring the pants off you he might start settling down a bit.