Sounds like you are doing good. I have a very fiesty female that I just take out and put in my hand while she is balled up and let her crawl back into her cage. Did that a few times like you did a couple days after feeding and now she is very easy to handle. I wouldn't mess with her while she is balled up, some people do it but he will trust you more I think if you let him come out on his own. Now I do 3-4 times a week 5-15 minutes each time and I let them rest 2 days after eating.