Definatly invest in one of these brushes, I find them so useful because they get right in on the coat, also a comb with 2 sides like this one :
Also dont forget!! ALWAY comb the dog through after you have brushed him because brushing doesnt always get the matts out
Dont forget to try and get into the bits that are hard to reach like the insides of the legs and ears and skirt if you want to keep them, Because if they get matted it will make the whole trip to the groomers stressful to the dog if the groomer needs to dematt the dog or shave matts close to the skin.
We had a puppy cocker in a few weeks back who was done in a tradition cocker clip and I thought she looked so cute! I guess its up to you if you have got the time and patience to sit and brush your pup then It would be worth keeping him nice and traditional but if you dont want that extra effort of dont plan or showing him or anything then a shave off might be a better option?
Some groomers wont touch his coat yet because hes still a puppy and they believe they will "break" the coat and damage it but he can just have a bath and tidy up until that time comes, It will still get him used to being at the groomers.
A traditional cocker clip means that the back and head of the dog is shaved to a size that you want, like shorter or longer hair with the feathers on the dogs front and back legs left on but scissored up nicely and with the skirt left on but also scissored up nicely, That also includes the front chest feathers and the ears and tail can be shaved or trimmed, That would be up to you
You could opt for a shave off which is just the same same lenght all over, with the ears shaved or scissored which would also be up to you.
Have you got a groomers in mind? You should go down there and ask to see some photos or get photos from the internet and print them off to show what style you want to achieve so there is no misunderstanding .
If you want any help with finding some pics of them styles then let me know and I'll go searching!
I'll expect to see lots of before and after photos!
Hope I helped!