Don't feel bad! Trust me - ALL of us have gone through things like this. If it makes you feel any better, I was brushing Yoshi with a slicker brush & breaking all of his hair for months
It also took me 4 different groomers before I found one that I was comfortable with. No one wants to leave their little puppy with someone they don't like. It sucks being nervous the whole time they're away. Here's another tip...I think Dawn already mentioned this. It really does work. If you don't want to spend the money on a detangler, you can also mix some conditioner & water in a spray bottle. About 1:20. It works just as well as a detangler & it's free
You're really going to LOVE the Madan brush & the mustache comb. They really do make a huge difference in the whole grooming process. Little Ellie is a cutie pie! Good luck!