Senior dog who hates being brushed. what’s worked for you?

I’m looking for ideas from anyone with a senior dog (or any dog really) who hates being brushed. My little guy Toby is 14, almost 15, a 6 lb Papillon, and brushing with a traditional brush is basically a no-go. He’s very opinionated at this point 😅.

So far, we manage by keeping him trimmed up. I took a level 1 grooming class years ago, so I’m comfortable doing a bit of trimming myself. He does okay with that. We also get him professionally groomed a couple times a year, but I can’t afford every 6 weeks; realistically, I can do every 4 months.

I’d love to try some less scary, at-home options to help prevent mats and tangles between grooms.

Has anyone tried:

Silicone hand grooming gloves?

Conditioner in the bath to help detangle?

Detangling sprays?

Mat splitters?

I’m just trying to find a way to keep him comfortable and avoid mats without triggering panic. Any tips, tricks, or success stories would be amazing!

Thanks in advance