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Puppy Obedience Training

Dog Training Elite

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Request Free Assessment


An adorable puppy being held by their owner - get professional puppy obedience training in Chicago, IL with Dog Training Elite today.

Start Training Young with DTE

Puppy Obedience Training in Chicago, IL

Training is one of the most important steps in raising a well-mannered dog. Pups are eager to learn from a young age, and structured training helps prevent unwanted behaviors before they become habits.

DTE offers professional obedience training for pups in Chicago, IL that is designed to meet your needs. Our experienced trainers focus on building strong communication, reinforcing positive behaviors, and preparing puppies for more advanced training techniques as they grow.

See Training Packages
A little puppy sitting in grass, contact Dog Training Elite in Chicago today.

Puppy Essentials Webinar

Free 70-Minute video

$45 Value

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Our trusted puppy class is now available "on-demand" from the comfort of your home! This webinar video is designed for owners of puppies age 8-16 weeks old, and will be accessible to you for free after completing the form below or with the purchase of one of our puppy packages!

Access Webinar

Our webinar includes education on the following topics:
  • Introducing a new puppy to your home
  • Health & well-being
  • Veterinary care & vaccines
  • Nurturing a good temperament
  • Scruffing & calming signals (e.g. dog yoga)
  • Basic Treat Obedience Including: Come, sit, loose-leash walking, and down
  • Puppy Corrections (Stop biting, digging, jumping, etc.)
  • Crate Training / Housebreaking
  • Socialization Tips
  • Environmental Hazards
  • Puppy Enrichment
  • Caring for Your Puppy

The Benefits of Puppy Training

Dog Training Elite

Early training shapes a puppy’s behavior for life. Teaching structure, commands, and impulse control early makes daily life easier and sets the stage for a well-behaved dog.

Without proper guidance, puppies can quickly develop habits like jumping, barking, or chewing that become harder to correct over time.
Training strengthens communication and trust, creating a better relationship between owner and dog.
Exposure to new people, places, and other dogs helps puppies become more adaptable and reduces anxiety in unfamiliar situations.
Obedience commands provide control in unpredictable situations, keeping puppies out of harm’s way.
An adorable puppy being trained by the experts at Dog Training Elite - get Chicago puppy obedience training today.

Puppy Training 101

Key Commands For Puppies

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Obedience commands help puppies understand what is expected of them and how to respond in different situations. These skills are fundamental for shaping a well-behaved and responsive dog:

  • Down: The "down" command teaches a puppy to lie down and stay in place until released. This command helps with impulse control and keeps a dog calm in busy environments or when guests visit.
  • Break: "Break" lets the puppy know they are free to move after following a previous command. This command helps structure training by showing the puppy when a command is over and they are allowed to move.
  • Heel: "Heel" teaches a puppy to walk calmly at the owner’s side rather than pulling ahead or lagging behind. Practicing this skill improves leash control, makes walks more enjoyable, and helps the dog stay focused in public settings.
  • Come: A reliable recall command is one of the most important skills a dog can learn. "Come" trains a puppy to return immediately when called, helping to prevent dangerous situations like running into traffic or getting lost.
  • Leave It: "Leave it" teaches a puppy to ignore or drop objects they shouldn’t touch, such as harmful food, household items, or dangerous materials. This command helps prevent destructive behavior and keeps the puppy safe.

Additional Obedience Training Info

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Off Leash Training
Dog Training Elite in Chicago - Dog Agility Training in Chicago, IL. DTE
Agility Through Basic Obedience Training
An golden retriever puppy outdoors - recieve expert guidance and training today from Dog Training Elite in Chicago.

What to Expect from Dog Training Elite’s Puppy Program

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Training a puppy can feel overwhelming, especially for first-time owners. Professional training makes the process easier by providing clear structure, proven methods, and expert guidance to help puppies learn faster and with better results.

Dog Training Elite offers in-home training programs structured to meet the needs of each dog. When you sign up for our puppy training program, you can expect:

  1. Initial Assessment: Our trainers will provide a personalized evaluation of your puppy’s temperament, behavior, and current skills to create a customized training plan.
  2. Training Schedule: Private, in-home sessions are scheduled to fit your routine, allowing your puppy to learn in a familiar environment with real-world distractions.
  3. Clear Goals: Training focuses on impulse control and basic commands, helping your puppy develop respect and responsiveness.
  4. Owner Involvement: Hands-on guidance ensures you feel confident reinforcing commands at home for long-term success.
  5. Ongoing Support: Additional group classes and advanced training programs are available after puppy training to continue building on your puppy’s progress.

Dog Training Elite gives owners the tools and support they need to raise a well-behaved puppy without the frustration of trial and error.

A dog being trained with Dog Training Elite - book puppy obedience training in Chicago, IL today.

Start Obedience Training with Your Puppy Today


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The first few months of a puppy’s life are the most important for shaping their behavior, but training during this stage doesn’t have to be difficult. With the right approach, even the most energetic dogs can learn obedience and self-control.

Dog Training Elite provides expert guidance to make puppy training effective and rewarding. Our hands-on techniques keeps you actively involved in the process, teaching you how to reinforce good behavior even after the sessions are completed.

Schedule a free consultation today to learn more about our training programs.

Get Your Free Assessment

You and your canine companion really can have it all. See how easy it can be to become a member of the elite pup society by requesting a free consultation today!

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See An Elite Dog in Action

Hear From Our Customers

Learn Why Dog owners choose Dog Training Elite

  • Kaitlin Slobodecki
    Feb. 6, 2025
    I found Dog Training Elite through a google search & I am so glad that I did. We worked with Grace and she was truly phenomenal. We just finished 5 in home visits and I am shocked by how much our dogs behavior has improved. Thanks to Grace's clarity and patience, our dog picked up each lesson quickly and it stuck with her. Let me tell you that my jaw dropped in our last session when our normally reactive dog stayed put outdoors while other dogs paraded around her. I never saw I'd see the day! I should also mention that our dog seems genuinely excited to have learned so much. We are very excited to start the group lessons and build on everything that Grace has taught us. I could not recommend them more!
  • Gabrielle Schmidt
    Jan. 29, 2025
    Jess has been working with my dog, Jack, and me for nearly a year, and I cannot recommend her enough! Thanks to her incredible guidance, support, and professionalism, Jack, at just over a year old, is now a certified therapy dog with Canine Therapy Corp. She also helped him earn his Canine Good Citizen certification and AKC Novice Trick Dog title. Jess is not only an exceptional trainer but also incredibly flexible, always working with my schedule to make training possible. If you’re looking for the best trainer to help you and your dog succeed, look no further than Jess!
  • Lauren Arkin
    Jan. 6, 2025
    We love Dog Training Elite! They did a great job with our adult pandemic pup. Extremely thorough and patient, and we love their training style. We really liked the videos of the training sessions that we could refer back to when practicing at home.
  • C McCarney
    Jan. 6, 2025
    DTE has been a god-send! They are so incredibly sweet and so hard working. They came to my house to give a free evaluation and we began my dog's advanced obedience training promptly after. They are incredibly accommodating to people with disabilities who are working toward getting their dogs trained as service dogs. My dog used to struggle with aggression towards other dogs after we were both attacked by another dog, but now she is doing great with other dogs (she is still not the biggest fan, but she is less reactive). DTE is always open to answering questions, providing advice, and working on new skills catered to the dog and handler's needs. Such incredibly kind and hardworking staff! If you are looking for affordable service dog and obedience training, this is the place to do it!
  • Griswold the Bernese
    Dec. 23, 2024
    The trainers at Dog Training Elite Western Chicago are all amazing! Griswold was always a sweet and amazing Berner, but he of course is super strong and stubborn! Once upon a time I could not walk him with confidence because he would PULL to greet all the people. Now I can walk him with ease and confident with his listening skills. Stubbernese no more 🥰
  • Doug Brauer
    Dec. 21, 2024
    DTE has been great! They have a wonderful professional atmosphere. Our experience started with in-home for our puppy. We have moved to weekly group training. The whole team is focused on our dog and us learning. The training is progressing well and we will be moving to therapy dog training in the future. Shout out to Pauline, Grace, Katie and Tim!
  • phil kotas
    Dec. 18, 2024
    Grace at Dog Training Elite Western Chicago demonstrated exceptional patience, kindness, and expertise, making the entire experience of training our family to train our dog a breeze, and Grace's expert in-home dog training and private dog trainer approaches really helped with my dog training needs. I was particularly impressed with her humor and ability to tailor her leash training for dogs to my 120 lb German Shepherd. He now comes immediately when called and Grace was able to train him to sit quietly on his mat while we eat whenever we just need a break. Thank You Grace!
  • Lauri S
    Dec. 17, 2024
    Friendly, knowledgeable, and very patient with me. I really appreciated her taking the time to ensure that I understood everything. Excellent job, looking forward to working with you.
  • Kevin Minard
    Nov. 21, 2024
    Chicago DTE is amazing! My sessions with Jess have been great, and every lesson so far has been effectively tailored to my dog’s needs and abilities - way beyond your run of the mill standard program or curriculum.
  • Laura Simpler
    Nov. 11, 2024
    Very accommodating, knowledgable, and comforting. Our dog is going great!!
  • Jessica guerino
    Nov. 7, 2024
    Pauline and Grace have been amazing. I got a cane corso mixed puppy a few months back and she has been the best girl to the training program. These girls have been loving and patient with my dog and it’s definitely paid off. She is starting to learn confidence and I even got her to place on a pot without having to ask multiple times. Thanks ladies! Lily loves you both & thanks you guys for everything!!!
  • Bunni “Alexis” Redscale
    Oct. 17, 2024
    DTE has been an integral part of my training journey with my dog. They are incredibly understanding and will help explain anything you need. I am working through their service dog training program and it has been incredibly easy for me to understand and implement the skills that they teach my dog and I. I also did the puppy training program and I never thought I would ever be able to self train my dog to such a high skill level while he was so young. I highly recommend this group for your training needs!
  • Diana Kassel
    Oct. 17, 2024
    My Lilly( Boston terrier) earned her service dog certification and is wonderful and helps in many ways. My puppy Leona has been thru her basics and I have been able to add some training at home. Leona is able to bring me my medications ( golden retriever) she is not currently in her service training, but will be. Leona recently brought me meds and I did not notice, however Miss Lilly did. She stomped she kicked at the bag and did whatever she could until I took notice that I had my medication. Truly amazing. Tim and Katie are amazing. The programs are amazing I was so impressed with both my champions.
  • Kelly N
    Oct. 14, 2024
    DTE is incredible. They have helped my dog and I develop a deeper bond and trust, all while teaching her how to be a good listener!! Grace and Pauline are super experienced, make group classes fun, and truly love what they do which the dogs can tell! The owners, Katie and Tim are so knowledgeable, I have seen them help dogs and owners come into their own (myself included). I simply cannot express how amazing DTE has been for me and my dog. It is worth every penny. I get compliments all the time for how well behaved my dog is, and its the result of the guidance of the DTE crew. You got to put the work in for it to be worth it, but that’s needed to improve at anything!
  • Jennifer Curran
    Oct. 8, 2024
    I used DTE to help me train my German Shepard. He was my first dog ever and I had no idea what I was doing but I was committed to learning and knew I wanted to give him the best so we could enjoy each other and I wouldn’t have a huge dog that was hard to control. I also decided to give the scent and service dog program a try in order to train him as a gluten detection dog for my celiac. I loved how helpful Katie was when I originally reached out and spent a lot of time explaining the process and they evaluated my dog to make sure he would be a good fit. This also included basic obedience training as well. I loved that I didn’t have to send my dog away for weeks or months either and allowed me a more hands on process with training my dog which I think was a huge help. When you sign up you automatically have the group classes for life. These are really great for us and helps my dog learn to be around other dogs in a safe environment where I have help from all the amazing trainers since I really had no idea how to go about socializing my big dog in a safe way. I am so happy I invested my time and money here! It was worth it!! So much better than programs where you send your dog away for 2 weeks and get them back. All the trainers are so amazing and as someone who knew nothing prior to this I now have a dog who can pick up gluten scent and we’re on our way to service dog status!
  • Heather Krupa
    Oct. 4, 2024
    When I chose to get a service dog, I looked for somewhere that would help me train my dog from puppy all the way through service dog. The only place I found was DTE. After working with them for the past twelve months, I would chose them all over again. *DTE provided a personality assessment for my pup before I adopted him. *DTE came to my home and helped me train my pup during weeks 8-16. *My dog did 2 weeks of boot camp and jumped ahead in his quickness in listening to basic commands. *This year we have attended group classes and improved obedience in a wide variety of settings and with creative distractions. Now that my pup is a "teenager," we are working on not responding to other dogs when they are being agressive. *DTE is quick to answer questions I have about training during the week and give me creative ideas in continued training. *This past year I have taken my pup with me almost everywhere in public and DTE has guided me in how to handle different scenarios. I have NEVER trained a dog before or had a dog (other than an outdoor farm dog when young). I get compliments ALL THE TIME on how well behaved my 12 month old dog is. I'm no super hero and my dog is no saint! We have just applied with skills that Pauline, Grace, Tim and Katie have taught us. You have to put in the work, but it is worth every penny.
  • jason seldomridge
    Oct. 4, 2024
    They are very attentive and invested in your dog's success. The training regiment is easy to follow and if you put in the effort your dog will respond quickly.
  • steven gore
    Sep. 30, 2024
    Jeff is the real deal. I have a sweet but stubborn pit bull. I have went to a couple training classes over the years but nothing stuck. She was an extreme puller and was stubborn coming a command. Also when the doorbell rang we could not control her. After 6 sessions with Jeff, and some homework, we have the most well behaved dog at the park. She comes on command, places when told and I am even able to walk her off leash. Jeff is punctual, knowledgeable and I highly recommend.
  • Kelly
    Sep. 20, 2024
    We had a great experience with Dog Training Elite! Our trainer, Rich, was incredibly knowledgeable and patient. He took time to understand the specific needs of the family. Before training with Rich, our dog was a typical puppy – full of energy, easily distracted, and a little bit mischievous. Not only have we seen improvement in Apollo’s obedience, Rich helped us understand how to reinforce good behavior. Apollo is now a well-mannered member of the family! If you're looking to strengthen your bond with your dog and see real, positive changes in their behavior, Dog Training Elite is the way to go. Our experience has been nothing short of fantastic, and we can’t wait to continue our training journey!
  • Desiree Martinez
    Sep. 16, 2024
    My dog Boog and I have been going through the Puppy Platinum training program at DTE with Jess and it has been such a tremendous help with raising him! Boogs been with DTE since he was 20 weeks old and he’s about to be 1 next month. He is so well behaved and gets a lot of praise about it from everyone he encounters. Jess has done a great job with providing both Boog and I with tons of resources and knowledge on dog obedience. Boog absolutely loved having his 1 on 1 sessions and loves his group classes even more.
  • Kaitlin Slobodecki
    Feb. 6, 2025
    I found Dog Training Elite through a google search & I am so glad that I did. We worked with Grace and she was truly phenomenal. We just finished 5 in home visits and I am shocked by how much our dogs behavior has improved. Thanks to Grace's clarity and patience, our dog picked up each lesson quickly and it stuck with her. Let me tell you that my jaw dropped in our last session when our normally reactive dog stayed put outdoors while other dogs paraded around her. I never saw I'd see the day! I should also mention that our dog seems genuinely excited to have learned so much. We are very excited to start the group lessons and build on everything that Grace has taught us. I could not recommend them more!
  • Gabrielle Schmidt
    Jan. 29, 2025
    Jess has been working with my dog, Jack, and me for nearly a year, and I cannot recommend her enough! Thanks to her incredible guidance, support, and professionalism, Jack, at just over a year old, is now a certified therapy dog with Canine Therapy Corp. She also helped him earn his Canine Good Citizen certification and AKC Novice Trick Dog title. Jess is not only an exceptional trainer but also incredibly flexible, always working with my schedule to make training possible. If you’re looking for the best trainer to help you and your dog succeed, look no further than Jess!
  • Lauren Arkin
    Jan. 6, 2025
    We love Dog Training Elite! They did a great job with our adult pandemic pup. Extremely thorough and patient, and we love their training style. We really liked the videos of the training sessions that we could refer back to when practicing at home.
  • C McCarney
    Jan. 6, 2025
    DTE has been a god-send! They are so incredibly sweet and so hard working. They came to my house to give a free evaluation and we began my dog's advanced obedience training promptly after. They are incredibly accommodating to people with disabilities who are working toward getting their dogs trained as service dogs. My dog used to struggle with aggression towards other dogs after we were both attacked by another dog, but now she is doing great with other dogs (she is still not the biggest fan, but she is less reactive). DTE is always open to answering questions, providing advice, and working on new skills catered to the dog and handler's needs. Such incredibly kind and hardworking staff! If you are looking for affordable service dog and obedience training, this is the place to do it!
  • Griswold the Bernese
    Dec. 23, 2024
    The trainers at Dog Training Elite Western Chicago are all amazing! Griswold was always a sweet and amazing Berner, but he of course is super strong and stubborn! Once upon a time I could not walk him with confidence because he would PULL to greet all the people. Now I can walk him with ease and confident with his listening skills. Stubbernese no more 🥰
  • Doug Brauer
    Dec. 21, 2024
    DTE has been great! They have a wonderful professional atmosphere. Our experience started with in-home for our puppy. We have moved to weekly group training. The whole team is focused on our dog and us learning. The training is progressing well and we will be moving to therapy dog training in the future. Shout out to Pauline, Grace, Katie and Tim!
  • phil kotas
    Dec. 18, 2024
    Grace at Dog Training Elite Western Chicago demonstrated exceptional patience, kindness, and expertise, making the entire experience of training our family to train our dog a breeze, and Grace's expert in-home dog training and private dog trainer approaches really helped with my dog training needs. I was particularly impressed with her humor and ability to tailor her leash training for dogs to my 120 lb German Shepherd. He now comes immediately when called and Grace was able to train him to sit quietly on his mat while we eat whenever we just need a break. Thank You Grace!
  • Lauri S
    Dec. 17, 2024
    Friendly, knowledgeable, and very patient with me. I really appreciated her taking the time to ensure that I understood everything. Excellent job, looking forward to working with you.
  • Kevin Minard
    Nov. 21, 2024
    Chicago DTE is amazing! My sessions with Jess have been great, and every lesson so far has been effectively tailored to my dog’s needs and abilities - way beyond your run of the mill standard program or curriculum.
  • Laura Simpler
    Nov. 11, 2024
    Very accommodating, knowledgable, and comforting. Our dog is going great!!
  • Jessica guerino
    Nov. 7, 2024
    Pauline and Grace have been amazing. I got a cane corso mixed puppy a few months back and she has been the best girl to the training program. These girls have been loving and patient with my dog and it’s definitely paid off. She is starting to learn confidence and I even got her to place on a pot without having to ask multiple times. Thanks ladies! Lily loves you both & thanks you guys for everything!!!
  • Bunni “Alexis” Redscale
    Oct. 17, 2024
    DTE has been an integral part of my training journey with my dog. They are incredibly understanding and will help explain anything you need. I am working through their service dog training program and it has been incredibly easy for me to understand and implement the skills that they teach my dog and I. I also did the puppy training program and I never thought I would ever be able to self train my dog to such a high skill level while he was so young. I highly recommend this group for your training needs!
  • Diana Kassel
    Oct. 17, 2024
    My Lilly( Boston terrier) earned her service dog certification and is wonderful and helps in many ways. My puppy Leona has been thru her basics and I have been able to add some training at home. Leona is able to bring me my medications ( golden retriever) she is not currently in her service training, but will be. Leona recently brought me meds and I did not notice, however Miss Lilly did. She stomped she kicked at the bag and did whatever she could until I took notice that I had my medication. Truly amazing. Tim and Katie are amazing. The programs are amazing I was so impressed with both my champions.
  • Kelly N
    Oct. 14, 2024
    DTE is incredible. They have helped my dog and I develop a deeper bond and trust, all while teaching her how to be a good listener!! Grace and Pauline are super experienced, make group classes fun, and truly love what they do which the dogs can tell! The owners, Katie and Tim are so knowledgeable, I have seen them help dogs and owners come into their own (myself included). I simply cannot express how amazing DTE has been for me and my dog. It is worth every penny. I get compliments all the time for how well behaved my dog is, and its the result of the guidance of the DTE crew. You got to put the work in for it to be worth it, but that’s needed to improve at anything!
  • Jennifer Curran
    Oct. 8, 2024
    I used DTE to help me train my German Shepard. He was my first dog ever and I had no idea what I was doing but I was committed to learning and knew I wanted to give him the best so we could enjoy each other and I wouldn’t have a huge dog that was hard to control. I also decided to give the scent and service dog program a try in order to train him as a gluten detection dog for my celiac. I loved how helpful Katie was when I originally reached out and spent a lot of time explaining the process and they evaluated my dog to make sure he would be a good fit. This also included basic obedience training as well. I loved that I didn’t have to send my dog away for weeks or months either and allowed me a more hands on process with training my dog which I think was a huge help. When you sign up you automatically have the group classes for life. These are really great for us and helps my dog learn to be around other dogs in a safe environment where I have help from all the amazing trainers since I really had no idea how to go about socializing my big dog in a safe way. I am so happy I invested my time and money here! It was worth it!! So much better than programs where you send your dog away for 2 weeks and get them back. All the trainers are so amazing and as someone who knew nothing prior to this I now have a dog who can pick up gluten scent and we’re on our way to service dog status!
  • Heather Krupa
    Oct. 4, 2024
    When I chose to get a service dog, I looked for somewhere that would help me train my dog from puppy all the way through service dog. The only place I found was DTE. After working with them for the past twelve months, I would chose them all over again. *DTE provided a personality assessment for my pup before I adopted him. *DTE came to my home and helped me train my pup during weeks 8-16. *My dog did 2 weeks of boot camp and jumped ahead in his quickness in listening to basic commands. *This year we have attended group classes and improved obedience in a wide variety of settings and with creative distractions. Now that my pup is a "teenager," we are working on not responding to other dogs when they are being agressive. *DTE is quick to answer questions I have about training during the week and give me creative ideas in continued training. *This past year I have taken my pup with me almost everywhere in public and DTE has guided me in how to handle different scenarios. I have NEVER trained a dog before or had a dog (other than an outdoor farm dog when young). I get compliments ALL THE TIME on how well behaved my 12 month old dog is. I'm no super hero and my dog is no saint! We have just applied with skills that Pauline, Grace, Tim and Katie have taught us. You have to put in the work, but it is worth every penny.
  • jason seldomridge
    Oct. 4, 2024
    They are very attentive and invested in your dog's success. The training regiment is easy to follow and if you put in the effort your dog will respond quickly.
  • steven gore
    Sep. 30, 2024
    Jeff is the real deal. I have a sweet but stubborn pit bull. I have went to a couple training classes over the years but nothing stuck. She was an extreme puller and was stubborn coming a command. Also when the doorbell rang we could not control her. After 6 sessions with Jeff, and some homework, we have the most well behaved dog at the park. She comes on command, places when told and I am even able to walk her off leash. Jeff is punctual, knowledgeable and I highly recommend.
  • Kelly
    Sep. 20, 2024
    We had a great experience with Dog Training Elite! Our trainer, Rich, was incredibly knowledgeable and patient. He took time to understand the specific needs of the family. Before training with Rich, our dog was a typical puppy – full of energy, easily distracted, and a little bit mischievous. Not only have we seen improvement in Apollo’s obedience, Rich helped us understand how to reinforce good behavior. Apollo is now a well-mannered member of the family! If you're looking to strengthen your bond with your dog and see real, positive changes in their behavior, Dog Training Elite is the way to go. Our experience has been nothing short of fantastic, and we can’t wait to continue our training journey!
  • Desiree Martinez
    Sep. 16, 2024
    My dog Boog and I have been going through the Puppy Platinum training program at DTE with Jess and it has been such a tremendous help with raising him! Boogs been with DTE since he was 20 weeks old and he’s about to be 1 next month. He is so well behaved and gets a lot of praise about it from everyone he encounters. Jess has done a great job with providing both Boog and I with tons of resources and knowledge on dog obedience. Boog absolutely loved having his 1 on 1 sessions and loves his group classes even more.