Her back looks great, my old girl hates having her feet done, but you must show them that you are the boss, don't give up, you may find a curved bladed scissor easier too do them,
A tip too do her tail is, to gather the fur up on the tail, too the tip then trim, Its a pity you are not near as I'd help you, but I'm sure someone at a show may well help,look at other dogs too get an idea, is the best way- gd luck
aw thank you- im tempted to email the london cockers society and ask if anyone is local to me to help! When we had her groomer for the first time by a groomer she behaved impeccably!!
I'm no expert, but she looks really good to me. What equipment have you been using? I need to buy some for my 5 month old pretty soon as he seems to have developed a liking for mud pools 
just some mikki products - ive got straight scissors, thinning scissors (both double serrated and single serrated), eyes and ears scissors (with rounded ends), slicker brush, and a tooth comb (with an elastic band through it). I managed to get the double serrated scissors, ear scissors and straight scissors for £20 from an ebay seller (and on a student budget this was brilliant) although i do appreciate they aren't necessarily the best or most professional, they're working fine for me
....And then my own finger and thumb to strip out her back! I gave myself a blister on my thumb though using the scissors (lots of chops but only taking a little at a time)!
im finding it difficult to strip out her legs (the sides rather than feathering at the backs which i've slightly thinned)- someone said to leave her looking puppyish- but she looks scruffy! should i strip these out? im pretty sure it would come out...
also- her head is causing problems, it does come out, buuut it's quite long on there, it's so tempting to thin it our rather than strip it but i am right to persevere and strip it out?
It's a working progress definitely, a little bit at a time! Im going to the soton show on the 16th- eek! so i've got a bit to do before then!
thanks for all the comments though, we'll have another little session tonight and do her back feet (successfully managed to do her front feet (90%))
