ACE Free work

ACE Free Work, developed by Sarah Fisher as part of Animal Centered Education (ACE)
​You can find Sarah's website here


What is ACE Free Work?


ACE free work a simple, low-impact activity designed to provide dogs with enrichment, relaxation, and opportunities to explore different sensory experiences. It involves setting up a variety of items and surfaces for the dog to interact with, allowing them to make choices and engage in activities they enjoy.


Purpose
The primary purpose of ACE Free Work is to:
  • Provide enrichment: Engage the dog's mind and body in a variety of activities.
  • Build confidence: Help dogs gain confidence in different environments and situations.
  • Identify preferences: Observe what activities and items the dog enjoys or avoids.
  • Support physical and emotional well-being: Help dogs relax, reset, and rebalance.


Benefits
ACE Free Work offers numerous benefits, including:
  • Improved confidence: Dogs become more confident in new environments and situations.
  • Enhanced relationship: Strengthen the bond between the dog and the guardian.
  • Better behaviour: Help with issues such as anxiety, reactive behavior, and settling.
  • Physical health: Identify potential physical concerns and support overall well-being.
  • Life skills: Teach important life skills such as recall, loose lead walking, and adapting to new environments.


How to Complete ACE Free Work
  • Choose a space: Set up the activity in a safe, enclosed area where the dog can move freely.
  • Gather materials: Use items you already have at home, such as towels, rugs, cardboard, boxes, and plastic crates/stools.
  • Create different surfaces: Arrange various surfaces for the dog to walk on, ensuring they are not slippery.
  • Add engagement activities: Include items like noise boxes, enrichment toys, snuffle mats, and lickimats.
  • Observe: Watch your dog interact with the items and take notes on their preferences and behaviors.
  • Adjust: Modify the setup based on your observations to better suit your dog's needs and preferences.
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deas for Objects to Use at Home
  • Towels and rugs: Different textures for walking on.
  • Cardboard: Create tunnels or platforms.
  • Boxes: Use as obstacles or hiding spots for treats.
  • Plastic crate or stool: Elevated surfaces for climbing on or paws up activity.
  • Enrichment toys: Puzzle toys, snuffle mats, and interactive toys.
  • Lickimats: Spread food or treats on these mats for licking.




Ideas for Items to Take in a Backpack for Free Work Sessions in novel environments
  • Portable snuffle mat: Easy to set up anywhere.
  • Enrichment toys: Small, lightweight toys for engagement. An egg carton or toilet rolls would be good
  • Treats: Small treats for rewarding the dog.
  • Water bowl: Keep your dog hydrated.
  • Notebook and pen: To take notes on your dog's behaviour and preferences.

I hope this handout helps you get started with ACE Free Work!

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Check out the great youtube video by canine support below for more information and video demonstrations
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You can also enroll in Sarah's courses here https://animalcentrededucation.teachable.com/p/watch-this-space


Reference list:
https://animalcentrededucation.com/​
https://caninecompilation.com/free-work-enrichment-for-dogs/
https://www.paws2connect.com/ace
https://www.confidentcaninetraining.co.uk/courses/introduction-to-ace-free-work
https://www.caninesupport.co.uk/​