Choose a group class if
Your dog can take food, follow a lure and pay attention to you with other dogs in the room — even at a distance. Puppies almost always belong here: the controlled exposure is half the value. Group classes are also excellent for owners who want structured practice with coaching in the room and a reason to show up every week.
Choose private lessons if
Your dog barks, lunges, freezes, or cannot eat around other dogs; your dog has bitten or is close to it; your problems are household specific (door manners, counter surfing, resource guarding, separation); or your schedule cannot hold a fixed weekly class night.
Many dogs do both
A common path is a handful of private lessons to get the foundation and the reactivity under control, then a group class to proof it under distraction. Proofing in a real environment is where obedience becomes reliable.
Every dog is different. If you want a recommendation for your dog specifically, tell us what's going on and we'll point you to the right program — we're at 8618 Ridgefield Rd, Crystal Lake, IL.