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 in the performance criteria is detailed below.

The range statement provides details of how this competency can be used in the workplaces of the racing industry to plan and implement the education and training of greyhounds for racing. Workplaces include kennels and racecourses, training tracks and public areas.
Principles of learning theory may include:
associative and non-associative learning
classic and operant conditioning
influence of memory
motivation for learning
response to positive or negative reinforcement and punishment
social structure of canines and status of humans in a kennel situation
understanding impact of a greyhound's physical characteristics and behaviour as a sight hound.
Greyhounds may be introduced to chasing by:
chasing prior to breaking-in does not usually involve a mechanical race lure, other activities can be used, such as:
learning to chase a ball, squeaky toy or other object
learning to chase a skin or cloth dragged along the ground
watching other greyhounds chase a lure.
Greyhounds may be exercised by:
exercise in this instance is before breaking-in, so aims to provide mainly free exercise for the young pup to build stamina, and soft and hard tissue modelling as well as introducing competitive play with other greyhounds of a similar age and size
exercise may include:
in a long run
in a paddock
hand walking
in a puppy run.
Breaking-in may be conducted by:
greyhound's trainer
specialist breaker who is external to the kennel, in which case the greyhound housing, care and management skills of the breaker must be assessed.
Breaking-in method may include:
breaking-in skill development, including:
teaching greyhound to box:
load into the box
face the right direction
crouch ready to run
teaching greyhound to chase the lure:
for required distance
in the company of other greyhounds.
Greyhound skills, health and fitness considerations may include:
fitness:
is not lame
is willing to run and chase for an appropriate amount of time and at appropriate speeds compared to its age and time spent in breaking-in
passes a 3 minute body assessment
skills:
continues to chase without being distracted
covers a suitable distance in an acceptable gait and speed
follows lure with appropriate interest
loads into the box, faces the right way and jumps within expected time frame
health:
body weight and condition are acceptable for a greyhound after breaking-in
eats up its feed and drinks appropriate amounts of water
eyes, ears and nose are clear of discharge
vaccinations, worming and other treatments are up-to-date.
Racing kennel activities may include:
accepting restraints, including being led and tied-up
adapting to feeding routines
adapting to living in kennels
standing for grooming, washing or rugging
standing and working close to other greyhounds
using walking machines, treadmills, pools and spas
wearing rug, muzzle, collar and lead.
Training plans will include:
adhering to relevant rules and regulations
applying principles of training greyhounds
considering greyhound's age versus work capabilities
considering optimum time frame and sequence of activities, taking into account greyhound's:
age
mental attitude, including:
behaviour
temperament
race and trial experience to date
soundness
structural weaknesses
type, such as sprinter or stayer
weight
developing training plan to incorporate:
exercise via road walking, walking machine or swimming
galloping either freely or in exercise yards
introducing hand slips
straight track exercise
circular track exercise.
Feed and health care requirements may include:
blood tests indicate appropriate balance of electrolytes, adequate hydration and blood cell concentration
coat is shiny
eats up the feed provided
eyes are bright and greyhound is alert
faeces and urine output and quality are within normal range
is able to complete exercise tasks
maintains or increases weight
toes are in sound condition.
Trackwork times and behaviour may include:
greyhound hugs the rail, travels wide or runs mid-track
greyhound is willing to pass others during exercise
greyhound is willing to run close to other greyhounds
track times are within acceptable parameters for a particular track and conditions, as well as for the age and stage of training.
Specialist advice may include:
greyhound breaker
nutritionist
therapist, such as:
acupuncturist
chiropractor
massage therapist
veterinarian.
Records will include:
breeding and pedigree
details of owners
feeding regimes
health maintenance
training behaviour
training times and distances
training and work schedule
vaccination records
veterinary and therapeutic treatments.

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.
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 and include evidence of the following:
knowledge of the requirements, procedures and instructions that apply to planning and implementing education and training programs for racing greyhounds
demonstration of methods used to assess performance, health and fitness status of greyhounds in different stages of training
demonstration of procedures and timely techniques for the safe, effective and efficient implementation of education and training programs for racing greyhounds
working with others to undertake and complete procedures that meet required outcomes.
Evidence should be collected over a period of time using a range of greyhounds of different ages, sexes and temperaments, and at different stages of preparation in racing kennel and track environments.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Competency must be assessed in a racing workplace that provides access to greyhounds that are being educated and trained in a commercial racing kennel under the care of a licensed trainer and the required resources. Assessment is to occur under standard and authorised work practices, safety requirements and environmental constraints. It is to comply with relevant regulatory requirements or Australian Standards requirements.
Assessment of the practical components of this unit will be by observation of relevant skills.
The following resources must be available:
a variety of greyhounds currently in training
materials and equipment relevant to assessing candidate's ability to educate and train greyhounds for racing
safe handling areas, such as commercial kennels, and training and racetracks
work instructions and related documentation.
Method of assessment
Assessment methods must satisfy the endorsed Assessment Guidelines of the Racing Training Package.
The suggested strategies for the assessment of 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.
Evidence is required to be demonstrated over a period of time, therefore where performance is not directly observed any evidence should be authenticated by supervisors or other appropriate persons.
This unit may be assessed in a holistic way with other units of competency relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role, for example:
RGRPSG303A Determine nutritional requirements for racing greyhounds
RGRPSG401A Relate anatomical and physiological features to the care and treatment of greyhounds
RGRPSG402A Manage greyhound health and welfare.
Guidance information for assessment (optional)
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).