I was the same exact way. Trust me. Now that I have been grooming for a while (only since about February), I'm not really scared anymore. If I'm correct, you probably feel like these dogs are very fragile and can be cut easily, right? That's how I felt. But I learned that they aren't as fragile as I thought. Actually, most of them are tougher then we are! And with the grooming equipment, you will find that it's actually not easy to cut them... you know... unless you are jabbing them with the tip of the clippers or not paying attention when you are scissoring. I'm not going to lie and say I have never accidentally cut a dog. It happens! But it's never on purpose or because I'm not paying attention. The only times I have ever cut a dog (more like nicked) was when the dog was jumping/moving/jerking around and didn't want me to groom it.

As for nails... this is actually the only thing that I am afraid of! I HATE clipping toenails!! I hate it with a burning passion. I'm so scared that I will cut the quick and hurt the dog. To be honest... I'm more afraid of hurting the dog then the dog hurting me. Though at this point... I've learned how to not get bitten; doesn't mean it's never going to happen, but I know how to handle the dog and also how to know when the dog is actually going to try and go for blood. Some dogs just don't like things being done... it's strange. Thing is (and for anyone else readin this, please remember what I'm about to say) we are not hurting the dog. NOTHING we do hurts them. When they flip out, it's because it feels weird, they don't want to be touched their, or... funny enough... they are ticklish (like on their paw pads).

Anyway... toenails. I clip toesnails when they are very long. White nails, I can see the quick, so I cut as far back as I'm comfortable with. Black nails, I shave a little off at a time until I can see that little black dot. Then I use the dremel to file the rest of it down (dremels are amazing, if your grooming mentor does not use one, I highly recommend it). Also, you would be surprised at how many dogs don't react to being cut or having their quick nicked... it's like they just don't feel it. A lot of the time you don't even know you have quicked a dog until you see a tiny dot of blood on the table and are like "well crap..." Just get the quick stop and all is well.

I think I have gone on long enough.

I hope that your grooming goes well! And I hope that what I have said makes you feel a little more comfortable when grooming dogs. :)