Elements and Performance Criteria

RANGE STATEMENT
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.
Common dog breeds may include:
the Australian National Kennel Club (www.ankc.org.au) provides a list of common breeds grouped into toys, terriers, gundogs, hounds, working dogs, utility and non-sporting.
Behavioural characteristics may include:
body language, vocal and other forms of communication
normal behaviour patterns:
activity levels appropriate for age and breed
displacement behaviour
normal feeding, resting and eliminative behaviour
social behaviour towards conspecifics and other species, including humans
inappropriate behaviour may include:
changes to expected normal behaviour
destructive behaviour
excessive vocalisation
inappropriate arousal levels
repetitive or stereotypic behaviour patterns
signs of anxiety and distress.
Colours, markings and other identifying features may include:
breed, age, sex and size
coat or skin colours and texture
eye colour
markings, patterns and permanent scars
microchip, ear tags, tattoos and markings.
Signs of distress in dogs may include:
aggressive behaviour
subdued behaviour
trembling
vocalisation.
Housing design and environmental factors may include:
environmental:
biological control of waste
cleaning routines and methods
drainage and weather protection
general animal housing security
housing furniture
local council requirements related to:
limits to numbers and types of animals allowed
noise control
pest control
restricting access to animals
waste management
ventilation, heating and cooling requirements
housing design:
housing options:
communal kennels
individual kennels
exercise areas
whelping and puppy raising kennels
food preparation areas
bathing and grooming areas
companion dogs kept indoors and outside
housing requirements:
compatibility of species kept together in a home
food and water distribution
security considerations
longevity and sturdiness of materials
suitability
specific areas to rest
designs that allow for enrichment activities (e.g. exercise, feeding or socialising)
social options:
solitary
pairs
groups
mixed species
Enrichment needs may include:
food or food-related enrichment:
food dispensing toys, scatter feeding and treasure hunts
physical enrichment items:
gnawing manipulada
digging pits
paddle pools
a view
sounds (e.g. music)
scents
occupational activity options:
dog sports
free running exercise
leash walks
training
social enrichment:
levels of contact with other animals of the same species or other species
social interactions with people, including the carer.
Welfare of animals requirements may include:
adequate housing, nutrition and stock levels
compliance to appropriate state or territory legislation and regulations
enrichment opportunities
the absence of pests and vermin
the compatibility of species and breeds.
OHS risks when working with animals may include:
animal bites, kicks and scratches
biological hazardous waste and sharps disposal
handling of chemicals and medicines
gas leakage
inhalation of aerosol particles
intraocular contamination
manual handling, including carrying, lifting and shifting
needle pricks and cuts from other sharps
release of infective agents (animal and human)
slippery or uneven work surfaces
zoonoses.
Equipment used to handle and restrain dogs may include:
collars and leads
treats or toys.
Methods used to approach and catch dogs may include:
calling animal by name
encouraging animal to approach by offering a treat
quietly approaching animal, slipping on collar and attaching lead or catching and holding animal with hands
running animal into a small enclosure.
Common health issues may include:
behavioural disorders
environmental hazards:
ventilation
temperature extremes
exposure to the elements
inadequate exercise
infectious diseases caused by:
bacteria, virus, fungus and mould
internal and external parasites
non-infectious diseases:
nutritional imbalances and disruptions
genetic disorders
metabolic
neoplastic
physical traumas
chemical toxicities and allergies
zoonotic diseases.
General health maintenance and preventative treatment may include:
annual health check-up
control of parasites
grooming
immunisation/vaccinations as required
insect control
quarantine
routine observation of waste elimination and faecal examination.
Digestive system features related to specific feeding routines and diets may include:
anatomical features:
mouth and teeth structures
digestive enzymes and bacteria
oesophagus and stomach
intestines, rectum and anus
physiological features:
eating processes
nutrient requirements, absorption and storage methods
waste elimination
feeding patterns and strategies
normal eating and drinking patterns for species, age and breed
potential digestive system malfunctions or problems
water needs.
Feeding hazards may include:
animal movement and handling
shelf life of foodstuffs
manual handling and general food preparation, storage and distribution equipment
contamination of foodstuffs from vermin, bacteria, fungus, virus and other sources
organic and other dusts
excessive noise
possibility of zoonotic infection.
Foodstuffs commonly available and suitable for a balanced diet may include:
high quality commercial and veterinary approved home prepared diets.
Required documentation may include:
accident and incident records
animal feeding, health and treatment records
animal identification and history
chemical and veterinary supplies register
diary, rosters and task completion and timeframe records
equipment use, damage and repair register
OHS safe work method statements, material safety data sheets (MSDS) and other records
provisions records of current stock and items used and items required
stock control records.

EVIDENCE GUIDE
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 competence 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:
identify the specific characteristics and needs of dogs and apply these to the best practice industry standard of housing, behaviour, feeding and health management
identify dogs by breed, age, sex, condition, colours, markings and other identifying features using industry accepted terminology
safely and humanely interact with, handle and restrain dogs
report and document treatments, behaviours and other information on individual dogs in accordance with animal welfare regulations, industry standards and workplace protocols and procedures.

The skills and knowledge required to provide basic care of dogs 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 most appropriately be assessed against the types of processes required in the industry sector in which candidates are working or in a situation that reproduces normal work conditions. Workplaces can include animal shelters, pet shops, breeding or boarding kennels, companion animal training or grooming establishments, veterinary practices or similar workplaces.

There must be access to a range of animals as well as relevant information, equipment and/or resources to enable one to demonstrate competence. Assessment must cover a minimum of three commonly available dog breeds.

Method of assessment
To ensure consistency in one's performance, competency should be demonstrated, to industry defined standards, on more than one occasion over a period of time in order to cover a variety of circumstances and over a number of assessment activities.

The assessment strategy must include practical skills assessment. Suggested strategies for this unit are:
written and/or oral assessment of candidate's required knowledge
observed, documented and first-hand testimonial evidence of candidate's application of practical tasks
simulation exercises that reproduce normal work conditions
third-party evidence
workplace documentation
portfolio.

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).