Okay, that hook training. I have been using my finger to touch his body before picking him up to let him know what's going on. But using an object that's not part of my body seems like a better idea haha. A paper towel roll seems certainly cheaper than buying a hook that is only used for rubbing him.

I will attempt the letting him bite me thing. It's just difficult as moving away is kind of an automatic response.

Thanks for the advice thus far!