I do most of the grooming myself. They don't look as nice but I know they're not suffering. The only thing I don't do are the nails. I'm paranoid I'll cut them too short and hurt them so I take them to petsmart for that. I basically sort of hide so they can't see me and make sure the groomer's being "nice" to my pups.
I've done a lot of research myself to learn how to groom and which tools to get... (I like the wireless clipper I have.) There's quite a few learning curve but you'll definitely get better. You know what they say, practice makes perfect.
Besides, their hair grows back pretty quickly. lol