Some great specific advice to the A1000 given above. My .02 are to go easy on the oil, paly catch with it as much as possible, keep working the hinges and massaging it and when not in use keep it wrapped with a ball inside.
Agreed. Go easy on all the oils and creams.
You simply need to spend hours tugging and pounding on it. Really work it hard and you'll break it in no problem within a week. I got my DD's A2000 catcher's mitt ready in a week. Probably 4-5 hours in front of the TV roughing it up.