ACE Free Work and Control Unleashed Workshop

with Kim Palermo CPDT-KA CCUI ACE Practicitioner

June 6 – 7, 2026

Three logos, sitting in a horizontal row. The first logo has the words Kim Palermo to the left with an orange and white illustration of a dog to the left. The second has an illustration of a dog sitting behind the words ACE FREE WORK. The third has a single-color cutout a dog with a tilted blue rectangle behind it, while the words CCUI Control Unleashed Certified instructor are overlaid

There’s help for dogs with “big feelings” including those who lack confidence, tend to be impulsive and are worried about their surroundings. Be Dog Happy is excited to present this two day workshop that will give you and your dog life changing skills! Suitable for puppies, adolescents, and seniors!

Day 1: ACE Free Work

What is ACE Free Work? ACE (Animal Centered Education) Free Work is an enrichment process that supports a dog physically and emotionally. Using individualized stations designed for your dog’s size, structure, and movement preferences, Free Work provides a unique opportunity for a dog to enjoy the freedom to make choices and use their natural desire for curiosity without the guidance of their handler. Benefits include reducing stress, improves posture and balance, increases the range of natural movement patterns, engages the seeking system and build curiosity.

By observing your dog with you, Kim can help you adjust stations to meet your dog’s needs, evaluate their physical structure, and determine the best setups to lower arousal and reset their nervous system.

Attendees will gain the knowledge about how to set up Free Work sessions at home, how to evaluate their dog’s body and emotional preferences, and have a lifelong activity that will promote a healthier body and a calmer mind.

Want to See ACE Freework in Action?

Watch Kim doing an ACE Free Work session with her dogs in the video below, or learn more about her work by visiting her website ⎋.

Day 2: Control Unleashed

Control Unleashed is a program designed to help dogs feel more comfortable and confident in our unpredictable world. Whether your dog gets excitable, nervous, or reactive in different situations, CU can help.

This workshop will go over a few primary Control Unleashed Pattern Games to help you provide predictability and consistency for your dog in novel environments. You’ll also learn a few calming skills to bring relaxation into your dog’s life. And finally, The Look At That Game will be taught in a way that is straightforward to implement, providing you and your dog with a tool that will help you communicate better with each other in the real world.

Finally, the preferences that you had learned from your dog on Day 1 through the use of ACE Free Work will be incorporated into your Control Unleashed skills—creating versatile and balanced procedures for your individual dog!

Fees

  • $300 for a working spot
  • $200 for auditors

Dates

Saturday June 6 & Sunday June 7, 9am-5pm

Registration Process

In order to register for this class, you must complete the form on this page, agree to the refund policy, and provide payment.

Refund Policy

  • Registration closes June 2, 2026 at noon
  • No refunds after registration closes.
  • Refund for working spot canceled prior to June 2 will be the entry fee MINUS $50 ($250 refunded)
  • Refund for auditing spot canceled prior to June 2 will be the entry fee MINUS $25 ($175 refunded)

Use the button below to get going – we’re excited to have you in class!

Registration Has Closed for This Class.

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