Which Type of Training Program Is Best for You and Your Dog?

Phil Lassiter
Jan 1
5 min read

One of the greatest responsibilities of dog ownership is raising a well-trained, well-mannered companion. Today’s dog owners have more training options than ever: private lessons, board and train programs, group classes, online Zoom training, and self-paced video instruction. With so many choices, the big question becomes…

Which training program is the right fit for you and your dog?

Every option comes with its own advantages and limitations, and in many cases, a combination of approaches leads to the strongest results. Let’s explore each type of training so you can make an informed decision that supports your dog’s success.

Private Lessons Board and Train Group Classes Online Zoom Training Video Training

Private Lessons

Private lessons can take place at a training facility or in the comfort of your home. This one-on-one format provides a personalized experience tailored exactly to your dog’s needs and your lifestyle.

Advantages	Limitations
The session focuses exclusively on you and your dog. Training plans are customized to your goals, behavioral issues, and pace. In cases involving reactivity or aggression, a trainer can control the environment and introduce challenges safely — often using their own well-trained dogs if needed.	Dogs may have fewer opportunities to work through real-world distractions. Without exposure to other dogs or new environments, progress may be slower in certain areas.

Private Lessons are Best for:

Behavioral modification (aggression, fear, anxiety, compulsive behaviors)
Recall training
E-collar education
Introducing a new dog into a home with current pets
Learning specialized skills
Owners with limited time who need flexible scheduling

Private lessons offer a strong foundation, especially for dogs needing focused attention or families wanting hands-on coaching.

Board and Train

Board and Train can be one of the most efficient forms of training — especially for busy households. Your dog lives and trains with a professional, receiving daily structured work, socialization, boundaries, and repetition that can be hard to replicate at home.

Many families also send their dogs for refresher programs during vacations to maintain or elevate skills.

Advantages	Challenges
Ideal for families with limited time or busy schedules Consistent daily training from a skilled professional Strong progress in obedience, leash walking, recall, and house manners Dogs gain exposure to structured environments, other dogs, and public settings Great for advanced work or polishing complex skills	Families often miss their dog during the stay Owners must learn how to maintain and reinforce the training afterward Supplemental videos or follow-up lessons are crucial for long-term success

Board and Train is Best for:

Owners with tight schedules
Dogs needing behavioral modification
Higher-level obedience
Dogs who benefit from daily structure
Refresher training opportunities

Board and Train can produce remarkable results when the owners commit to continuing the work at home, reinforcing the training just as consistently as the trainer did.

Group Classes

Group classes are an excellent way to gain “on-the-job” training with your dog. This real-

world environment helps dogs learn to remain obedient even when excited, distracted, or challenged.

The strongest programs provide structured progression — such as Basic → Intermediate → Advanced — allowing you and your dog to build skills step by step. Remember: Rome wasn’t built in a day. A solid foundation leads to long-term results.

Group classes can also include specialized offerings like agility, scent work, disc, or barn hunt, allowing dogs to explore new talents.

Advantages	Limitations
Hands-on learning in a dynamic environment Teaches dogs to respond despite distractions Structured progression builds reliable obedience Immediate feedback and Q&A with an instructor Cost-effective Helps owners learn how to train, manage, and problem-solve	Not ideal for dogs with severe fear or aggression Requires consistent attendance and homework May overwhelm dogs new to social settings

Group Classes are Best for:

Owners wanting practical, real-world guidance
Puppies, adolescent dogs and adult
Dogs working toward public manners
Owners who want accountability and community
Training with a balanced approach — helping dogs understand both positive and negative consequences of their choices

For dogs with significant aggression or anxiety, a training evaluation is recommended before enrolling to ensure group classes are the right fit.

Online Zoom Training

Zoom allows owners to train from home with fewer distractions and greater convenience. This format can be surprisingly effective — especially for dogs with social issues or for owners needing focused coaching without the stimulation of a group environment.

Zoom can be done as private sessions or within a group setting.

Advantages	Limitations
Train from your own home Very flexible and convenient Cost-effective Ideal for dogs with intense fear, anxiety, or reactivity Allows direct communication and coaching in real time	Trainers cannot physically demonstrate techniques Handling issues that require hands-on guidance may take longer Limited opportunities for exposure to outside environments

Online Zoom Training is Best for:

Dogs who struggle in new environments
Owners who need flexible scheduling
Dogs or owners new to training
Supplemental learning

Video Training

Video instruction is excellent for owners who prefer self-paced learning. It can stand alone or serve as a supplemental tool to reinforce skills learned in group classes, private lessons, or Board and Train programs.

Consistency is key — videos should reflect the same philosophy and methods your dog is learning in person.

Advantages	Limitations
Extremely cost-effective Flexible and repeatable — watch anytime, anywhere Great for reinforcing skills learned in other programs Perfect for visual learners	No real-time feedback Difficult to troubleshoot behaviors without trainer observation

Video Training is Best for:

Self-motivated owners
Supplementing group classes
Following up after Board and Train
Reinforcing foundational skills

CHOOSING THE RIGHT PROGRAM FOR YOU

Finding the right training program can feel overwhelming, but once you find the right match, the experience becomes incredibly rewarding for both you and your dog.

Many owners discover that combining training methods — such as private lessons plus group class, or Board and Train plus follow-up Zoom or video support — leads to the highest success rates in obedience and behavioral modification.

The goal is simple: Clear communication. Balanced training. Respect on both ends of the leash.

Ready to Choose the Best Training Path for Your Dog?

If you’re unsure which program fits your dog’s personality, energy level, and behavioral needs, I’m here to help. At Respect on Both Ends, we offer:

✔️ Group classes from Basic to Advanced

✔️ Private lessons for obedience and behavior issues

✔️ Board & Train programs with follow-up support

✔️ Specialty classes like scent work and barn hunt

✔️ Balanced, clear communication-based training

Every dog is different — and the right training program can transform your relationship.

👉 Schedule a training evaluation

👉 Enroll in your next class

👉 Purchase an Online Video Training program

Let’s build obedience, confidence, and respect — on both ends of the leash.