My Cocker came into season the weekend.  Although she normally loves her belly she is driving me mad for food all the time.  Is this normal?  Am I ok to take her out for walks as a member of the family as told me its best not to I have always had male dogs so this is new for me.

Most bitches have a temporary change in temperament when they are in season, can't say I've noticed an increase in appetite with mine, but yours may just being doing it because she wants extra attention! I wouldn't advise walking your bitch while she's in season, particularly if you walk where you are likely to meet other dogs - you may end up with a queue of males outside your door :D You need to be careful around males for at least 21 days since her season started, preferably 28 days. Just a word of warning, if she appears to have stopped bleeding, it doesn't mean her season has finished - that's probably the time she will be ready for mating & the most important time to keep her away from males.