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.
Australian breed standards
Breed standards for breeds and breed groups recognised by the Australian National Kennel Council.
Features
Features will include: body shape, ear shape and set, feet shape, head shape, height, tail type and set.
Coat types and characteristics
Coat types will include: broken, combination, corded, curly, double, fine, hairless, long, non-shedding, Nordic, patterned, rough, shedding, short, smooth.
Coat characteristics will include: curly silky hair, felt-like, harsh, matted, non-shedding, patterned, plush, shedding, undercoat, weather resistant outer coat, woolly.
Other considerations will include:
health considerations related to coat types
skin characteristics
eye, mouth and nasal discharge impact on hair and skin
feet.
Tools and equipment
Tools may include use of grooming tools and techniques:
for grooming coat types and body areas and to:
lay coat
remove and prevent knots and mats
remove debris
volumize coat
to protect coats from debris or staining by banding, snooding, wrapping.
Equipment may include:
blow dryers
brushes including: hound glove, natural bristle, pin, porcupine brush, rake, slicker, sisal glove, terrier palm brush
combs including: flea, greyhound, poodle, wide tooth
mobile unit
stripping knives
tweezers
scissors including: curved, rounded tip, sharp tip, straight, thinning
toenail clippers including: dremel, hand operated.
Hazards may include:
allergic reactions to grooming products
bites or scratches to groomer
distress to dog when attempting to remove large mats or debris in coat
grooming sessions that extend longer than the dog’s reasonable tolerance based on dog’s age or experience
infection, disease or parasite transfer from dog to groomer or other dogs
injuries caused by dog’s attempt to escape grooming or handler
injuries caused by grooming tools to dog or handler
skin tears or cuts caused by grooming tools or techniques.
Maintenance and cleaning may include:
cleaning, storing and maintaining in accordance with manufacturer's instructions
mobile unit maintenance
recharging or replacing batteries
removal of hair and debris from filters
re-sharpening or replacing blunt blades
routine disinfection of equipment
safe and secure storage of equipment.
Purpose of grooming may be required:
for breed standard or competition requirements
for fashion
to manage skin or coat condition
to remove under coat
to remove winter coat.
Preventative care will be required:
for parasite control
to avoid matting
to deodorise coats
to reduce access to coat contamination (ie roll up of long coats)
to reduce coat staining.
Finishing products may include:
anti-static or coat holding
deodorant
flea and other parasite control
knot or matt prevention
stain minimisation.
Decorations or accessories may include:
bandages, tapes or coat protection aids
clips
coats
hats
ribbons.
Waste and biosecurity risks may include:
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 grooming requirements with client/owner
follow workplace instructions to apply industry recognised grooming methods and procedures for different dog breed standards and coat types to maintain/restore animal comfort
handle dogs in a safe and humane manner
select, use and maintain grooming equipment and supplies in accordance with organisational standards and manufacturers' specifications under supervision
build relationships and communicate effectively with clients regarding appropriate grooming requirements
maintain records and follow-up with clients as required.
The skills and knowledge required to perform dog grooms on different coat types 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 dog grooming services aligned with Australian dog breed standards or in a situation that reproduces normal work conditions.
There must be access to a range of dog breeds 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 one double or combination coated dog and one short coated dog on more than two occasions. 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).