WHY ACE FREE WORK IS MORE THAN “JUST ENRICHMENT”

Why ACE Free Work is more than “just enrichment”

ACE Free Work is often described as enrichment

Something calming.
Something to do at home.
Something to replace or reduce walks.

And while it can be all of those things, describing it as “just enrichment” sells it short.

Because ACE Free Work isn’t really about keeping dogs busy.

It’s about listening.

I’m Niki French and a Certified ACE Trainer, personally trained by Sarah Fisher.

What is ACE Free Work?

ACE stands for Animal Centred Education, a concept developed by Sarah Fisher and thousands of dogs over the last 30 years. It’s education for both ends of the lead – helping us learn from our dogs as much as they learn from us.

ACE Free Work is a calm, choice-led activity where we set up simple “stations” for dogs to explore. Each area might include different textures, surfaces, scents, heights, or foods, all encouraging the dog to move, sniff, and make choices at their own pace – with no cues or expectations.

It looks a bit like canine enrichment, but it goes deeper. It helps us observe our dogs’ preferences, posture, movement, and emotional state, and supports their physical, emotional, and cognitive wellbeing.

What we usually mean by enrichment

When people talk about enrichment, they’re often thinking about activities that:
• Occupy a dog’s time.
• Provide mental stimulation.
• Reduce boredom.
• Help dogs ‘burn off’ energy.

Food puzzles, snuffle mats, lick mats, chews, training games – all of these can absolutely have value. They can be enjoyable, soothing, and supportive parts of your dog’s day.

But most enrichment is still task-based and human-led.

We decide what the dog does.
We set the challenge.
We often look for an outcome – calmer behaviour, tiredness, focus, improvement.

ACE Free Work works differently.

What ACE Free Work actually is

At its core, ACE Free Work is a choice-led, non-directive exploration – meaning the dog decides what to interact with, how, and for how long, without being guided or asked.

There are:
• No cues.
• No commands.
• No expectations.
• No “right” way for the dog to interact.

We create a calm environment using everyday items – surfaces, heights, textures, movement opportunities – and then we step back.

The dog chooses how to explore.
Or whether to explore at all.

And our role isn’t to guide or encourage – it’s to observe.

ACE Free Work isn’t about doing – it’s about communicating

This is where ACE Free Work moves far beyond enrichment.

Rather than asking “How do I keep my dog busy?” ACE Free Work asks “What is my dog telling me?”

During a session, dogs show us information that’s often invisible elsewhere:
• Where they hold tension in their body.
• How confident or hesitant they feel.
• How they respond to novelty.
• What they avoid – and what they seek out.
• How they move through space.
• How quickly they process and recover.

There’s no pressure to perform, so there’s no need to mask discomfort.

Dogs don’t have to push through.
They don’t have to “be brave”.
They don’t have to get it right.

They simply get to be.

Why choice matters so much

Choice is not a luxury for dogs – it’s a regulator.

When dogs are given genuine choice:
• Pressure reduces.
• Emotional safety increases.
• The nervous system can begin to settle.

ACE Free Work supports self-regulation, not compliance.

That doesn’t always look calm or still.
It can look thoughtful.
It can look cautious.
It can look slow.

And that information is invaluable for us.

Why ACE Free Work is especially powerful for dogs who struggle

For anxious, reactive, noise-sensitive or over-excitable dogs, everyday life can involve a lot of coping.

Walks. Other dogs. Strangers. Handling. Training. Visitors. Vet visits.

ACE Free Work often becomes the safest space these dogs have to express how they actually feel.

For some dogs, it’s the first time they’re not being asked to cope better – just to exist comfortably.

Over time, guardians often notice:
• Improved ability to settle.
• Increased confidence in small ways.
• Fewer “why are they doing that?” moments.
• A deeper understanding of their dog’s needs.

Not because the dog has been trained to behave differently – but because they’ve been allowed to communicate.

Enrichment fills time. ACE Free Work gives information.

This is the key difference.

Enrichment can be wonderful – but it often distracts dogs from how they feel.

ACE Free Work doesn’t distract. It reveals.

It shows us what support a dog might need next.
What feels safe.
What feels hard.
And what pace is right for that dog.

That’s why ACE Free Work is more than “just enrichment”.
It’s a conversation – if we’re willing to listen.

Want to get started?

You don’t need to buy anything special to begin.
Download my free guide, 10 everyday items to kickstart ACE Free Work at home and discover how simple it can be to create calm for your dog this festive season.

🧡 CLICK HERE to download it now

Want to work with me 1-2-1 and learn how to tailor your ACE Free Work sessions to your dog and their needs, find out more about my ACE Introduction here.