I'd go with the group session, if it is based on positive training methods. For a first class, if it's a puppy class, I think it would be fun and good for your puppy to be around other dogs, for the socialization. Most of your training should come from you anyway. You want your puppy to be able to listen to you around other dogs and distractions. Then, I might go with the private lessons. But, I don't formally train obedience, I just train and compete in agility.
Since your ultimate goal is agility, you might start by contacting agility schools or clubs and ask about obedience classes from them or recommendations for obedience classes. They might know of a good obedience club you could join or a good trainer, one who might also do agility.
I got this list of agility clubs in Nova Scotia from the AAC (Agility Association of Canada) website. Clubs are listed in alphabetical order.
Canine Agility Association of Nova Scotia (CAANS)
Bev Lawson
19 Jeffery Lane
Wellington, NS
B2T 1J4
Email: thelawsons@eastlink.ca Website: caans.ca http://aac.ca/com/_img/Clubs/caans.jpg Fetch Inc
Brenda Juskow
80 Joseph Zatzman Drive
Dartmouth, NS
B3B 1N8
Email:
info@fetchinc.ca Website: www.fetchinc.cahttp://aac.ca/com/_img/Clubs/FetchH3.jpg K9 Agility Team
Wendy Butler
RR#5, 780 Pumping Station Rd
Amherst, NS
B4H 3Y3
Email: wolfwind@eastlink.ca True North Agility
John MacKinley
1 Rothwell St
Upper Sackville, NS
B4E 3C2
Email: john.mackinley@ns.sympatico.ca Website: www.truenorthagility.com
Here is a link to search for agility clubs in Nova Scotia from the Cleanrun website:
Clean Run: Agility Clubs and Training Schools
There were three clubs listed there and one of them was CAANS.