Elements and Performance Criteria

The range statement relates to the Unit of Competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.
Experienced dogs may include:
dogs that have been trained previously to accept clipping procedures regardless of age
Cross bred coat types may include:
Broken, corded, curly, fine, hairless, long, non-shedding, Nordic, patterned, rough, shedding, short, smooth.
Range of clip types may include:
basic styles for dog comfort and to compliment general anatomical features and coat types for:
body
head
legs/feet
tail
puppy trim.
Potential behavioural problems may include:
avoiding contact with groomer or equipment
biting
collapsing
crying
escaping
incontinence
scratching.
Inexperienced dogs may include:
young dogs or dogs that have not been previously clipped
dogs with defensive or aggressive behaviours caused by previous clipping or grooming experiences.
Conditioned may include:
training techniques using positive reinforcement to encourage dogs to accept novel experiences including:
handling by strangers and in unfamiliar locations
grooming and clipping techniques such as: brushing, plucking, scissoring, stripping, washing
tolerating restraint.
Control or restrain may include:
approved manual animal holding techniques
grooming harness or lead.
Records
after salon care instructions to client
individual dog care record
receipts
stock supplies.
Environmentally appropriate methods must consider:
allergies or skin conditions associated with the use of shampoos and other products
burns from the use of chemicals or hot clipper blades
electrical and fire risk from equipment
pollutants and biohazards resulting from chemicals, water and dog waste
transmission of disease between dogs and or humans via:
biting or scratching
presence of contagious health conditions
recycling of washing water
tools and equipment.

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.
Overview of assessment

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this Unit
The evidence required to demonstrate competency in this Unit must be relevant to workplace operations and satisfy all of the requirements of the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge and the range statement of this Unit. Assessors should ensure that candidates can:
assess health and condition of animal's coat and determine clipping requirements with client/owner
follow workplace instructions to apply industry recognised grooming and styling techniques to establish/maintain/restore coat and breed features for cross breed dogs
handle dogs in a safe and humane manner
select, use and maintain grooming and styling equipment and supplies in accordance with organisational standards and manufacturers' specifications
build relationships and communicate effectively with clients relating to the on-going management of grooming and clipping of their cross breed dogs
maintain records and follow-up with clients as required.
The skills and knowledge required to perform a cross breed clip must be transferable to a range of work environments and contexts and include the ability to deal with unplanned events.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment of this Unit is to be practical in nature and will be most appropriately assessed in companion animal organisations that offer cross breed dog grooming and clipping services or in a situation that reproduces normal work conditions.
There must be access to a range of cross breed dogs and coat types as well as relevant information, equipment and/or resources to enable one to demonstrate competence.
Method of assessment
To ensure consistency of performance, competency must be demonstrated, to industry recognised grooming techniques, on at least three coat types and three clip types on more than one occasion. Assessment must take place over a period of time in order to cover a variety of circumstances, cases and responsibilities, and over a number of assessment activities.
The assessment strategies must include practical skills assessment. Suggested strategies for this Unit are:
written and/or oral assessment of candidate's required knowledge
observed, documented and firsthand testimonial evidence of candidate's application of practical tasks
simulation exercises that reproduce normal work conditions
third-party evidence
portfolio records that provide evidence of practical skills.
This Unit may be assessed in a holistic way with other Units of Competency relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role.
Guidance information for assessment
Assessment methods should reflect workplace demands (e.g. literacy and numeracy demands) and the needs of particular target groups (e.g. people with disabilities, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, women, people with a language background other than English, youth and people from low socioeconomic backgrounds).