The Method i use is one that i have not seen done and makes it much easier to do ANY pattern in yarn on the tail. Also makes it so that i can have the removable bundled wire core. :]

Anyway. these photos are of a tail i'm working on currently, That the owner and i have not decided weather or not to brush it out.. as it really does look awesome and is still super soft un-brushed.. however the down side to that is its MUCH heavier. but will still be pose-able. Un-Brushed and Brushed (fluffy) are the same price because if its not un-brushed then it uses almost twice as much yarn. But brushing it out takes more time.