Elements and Performance Criteria

The Range of Variables explains the range of contexts within which the performance and knowledge requirements of this standard may be assessed. The scope of variables chosen in training and assessment may depend on the work contexts.

What range of roles may be considered in determining the working dog requirements of an enterprise?
This may include heading/paddock, backing/yarding, droving, and guard duties.

What enterprise requirements may apply to this standard?
This may include enterprise standard operating procedures, industry standards, production schedules, work notes, enterprise policies and procedures (including waste disposal, recycling and re-use guidelines), OHS procedures, supervisors oral or written instructions, work and training plans.

What might be involved in the inspection for suitability of a working dog?
Aspects of suitability may include general health and condition, temperament (non-biting), eye/bark, sex, breed, age and size.

What training needs might be identified?
This may include basic training commands of sit, come and stay. It may also include training to work livestock, which could involve the initial introduction of the dog to a small number of livestock in a controlled area, with gradual introduction to larger numbers of livestock in a large open area.

How might a systematic approach to training be undertaken?
This may include defined training objectives, sequenced training activities, monitoring and assessment processes.

What OHS requirements may be applicable to this standard?
This may include safe systems and procedures for handling animals, including zoonoses control measures (hydatid, tetanus), identify hazards, assess and report risks, manual handling systems and procedures, systems and procedures for handling and storage of veterinary chemicals, and safe systems and procedures for outdoor work including protection from solar radiation.

What existing and potential OHS hazards may be encountered in the workplace?
Livestock movement and handling, solar radiation, dust, noise, veterinary chemicals, and moving machinery and vehicles.

How might a dog's health, condition and status be assessed?
General observation of coat condition, weight, and alertness; routine health checks for mange, eczema, fleas and worms, relevant vaccinations and boosters are recorded and up- to- date, and registration compliance requirements are met.

What might diet consist of?
Prepared dog foods, scraps, vegetables, meat, cooked offal, cereals, and dry food.

What preventative health treatments might be provided?
Roundworm, heartworm, tick and flea treatments, vaccinations for distemper and parvovirus and other canine diseases.

What facilities and equipment might be required?
This may include collar, chain, identity discs, water, shade cover, kennels and a safe environment.

What range of roles may be considered in determining the working dog requirements of an enterprise?
This may include heading/paddock, backing/yarding, droving, and guard duties.

What enterprise requirements may apply to this standard?
This may include enterprise standard operating procedures, industry standards, production schedules, work notes, enterprise policies and procedures (including waste disposal, recycling and re-use guidelines), OHS procedures, supervisors oral or written instructions, work and training plans.

What might be involved in the inspection for suitability of a working dog?
Aspects of suitability may include general health and condition, temperament (non-biting), eye/bark, sex, breed, age and size.

What training needs might be identified?
This may include basic training commands of sit, come and stay. It may also include training to work livestock, which could involve the initial introduction of the dog to a small number of livestock in a controlled area, with gradual introduction to larger numbers of livestock in a large open area.

How might a systematic approach to training be undertaken?
This may include defined training objectives, sequenced training activities, monitoring and assessment processes.

What OHS requirements may be applicable to this standard?
This may include safe systems and procedures for handling animals, including zoonoses control measures (hydatid, tetanus), identify hazards, assess and report risks, manual handling systems and procedures, systems and procedures for handling and storage of veterinary chemicals, and safe systems and procedures for outdoor work including protection from solar radiation.

What existing and potential OHS hazards may be encountered in the workplace?
Livestock movement and handling, solar radiation, dust, noise, veterinary chemicals, and moving machinery and vehicles.

How might a dog's health, condition and status be assessed?
General observation of coat condition, weight, and alertness; routine health checks for mange, eczema, fleas and worms, relevant vaccinations and boosters are recorded and up- to- date, and registration compliance requirements are met.

What might diet consist of?
Prepared dog foods, scraps, vegetables, meat, cooked offal, cereals, and dry food.

What preventative health treatments might be provided?
Roundworm, heartworm, tick and flea treatments, vaccinations for distemper and parvovirus and other canine diseases.

What facilities and equipment might be required?
This may include collar, chain, identity discs, water, shade cover, kennels and a safe environment.

What evidence is required to demonstrate competence for this standard as a whole?
Competence in caring for working dogs requires evidence of the ability to select and match a working dog to an identified role, develop and implement effective training programs, and maintain the health, welfare and status of the dog. It also requires the ability to employ safe handling procedures with working dogs and livestock, recognise poor health or abnormal behaviour and arrange appropriate treatment, provide adequate nutritional requirements, and maintain facilities and environment to industry and enterprise standards. The skills and knowledge required must be transferable to a different work environment. For example, if competence is evident in caring for and training a dog to work sheep in a close environment, it must also be evident in training a dog to work cattle in an open paddock environment.
What specific knowledge is needed to achieve the performance criteria?

Knowledge and understanding are essential to apply this standard in the workplace, to transfer the skills to other contexts, and to deal with unplanned events. The knowledge requirements for this competency standard are listed below:

canine breeds and behaviour, health and nutritional requirements
effective canine training systems and procedures
safe animal handling methods and techniques
canine preventative health treatments
State/Territory legislative and regulatory requirements with regard to OHS, animal welfare, and the registration and care of domestic dogs
hazards associated with training and caring for working dogs and appropriate control measures
enterprise policies with regard to working dogs and recording and reporting routines.

What specific skills are needed to achieve the performance criteria?

To achieve the performance criteria, some complementary skills are required. These include the ability to:

select working dog to meet enterprise requirements
develop training programs and apply effective training procedures
maintain health and welfare requirements and recognise abnormalities
arrange and administer preventative health treatments
demonstrate safe workplace and animal handling practices
monitor and minimise impacts to the environment associated with the use and disposal of veterinary chemicals
maintain clean and safe facilities and workplace environment
research, read and interpret canine breeds, behaviour and nutritional requirements
assess and calculate work area dimensions, and measure dietary requirements and preventative health treatments.

Are there other competency standards that could be assessed with this one?
This competency standard

Essential Assessment Information
There is essential information about

What specific knowledge is needed to achieve the performance criteria?

Knowledge and understanding are essential to apply this standard in the workplace, to transfer the skills to other contexts, and to deal with unplanned events. The knowledge requirements for this competency standard are listed below:

canine breeds and behaviour, health and nutritional requirements
effective canine training systems and procedures
safe animal handling methods and techniques
canine preventative health treatments
State/Territory legislative and regulatory requirements with regard to OHS, animal welfare, and the registration and care of domestic dogs
hazards associated with training and caring for working dogs and appropriate control measures
enterprise policies with regard to working dogs and recording and reporting routines.

What specific skills are needed to achieve the performance criteria?

To achieve the performance criteria, some complementary skills are required. These include the ability to:

select working dog to meet enterprise requirements
develop training programs and apply effective training procedures
maintain health and welfare requirements and recognise abnormalities
arrange and administer preventative health treatments
demonstrate safe workplace and animal handling practices
monitor and minimise impacts to the environment associated with the use and disposal of veterinary chemicals
maintain clean and safe facilities and workplace environment
research, read and interpret canine breeds, behaviour and nutritional requirements
assess and calculate work area dimensions, and measure dietary requirements and preventative health treatments.

Are there other competency standards that could be assessed with this one?
This competency standard

Essential Assessment Information
There is essential information about

There are a number of processes that are learnt throughout work and life, which are required in all jobs. They are fundamental processes and generally transferable to other work functions. Some of these are covered by the key competencies, although others may be added. The questions below highlight how these processes are applied in this competency standard. Following each question a number in brackets indicates the level to which the key competency needs to be demonstrated where 0 = not required, 1 = perform the process, 2 = perform and administer the process and 3 = perform, administer and design the process.
Communicating ideas and information
Information and ideas with regard to the selection of a suitable breed to meet enterprise requirements may be discussed with breeders and the supervisor. (1)

Communicating ideas and information
Information and ideas with regard to the selection of a suitable breed to meet enterprise requirements may be discussed with breeders and the supervisor. (1)

Collecting analysing and organising information
Information with regard to canine breeds, breeders and training methods may be researched and collected for analysis and applied in the development of a training program. (1)

Collecting analysing and organising information
Information with regard to canine breeds, breeders and training methods may be researched and collected for analysis and applied in the development of a training program. (1)

Planning and organising activities
Training activities may be planned and co-ordinated around work schedules or sequenced as required. (1)

Planning and organising activities
Training activities may be planned and co-ordinated around work schedules or sequenced as required. (1)

Working with others and in teams
Team work may be applied in the development and implementation of a training program. (1)

Working with others and in teams
Team work may be applied in the development and implementation of a training program. (1)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
Mathematics may be applied in the measurement and calculation of area dimensions, livestock numbers, and dietary quantities and rates. (1)

Using mathematical ideas and techniques
Mathematics may be applied in the measurement and calculation of area dimensions, livestock numbers, and dietary quantities and rates. (1)

Solving problems
Arrangements for additional training may be required for poorly trained or disobedient dogs. (1)

Solving problems
Arrangements for additional training may be required for poorly trained or disobedient dogs. (1)

Using technology
To research and develop training methods, communicate and record training process and outcomes. (1)

Using technology
To research and develop training methods, communicate and record training process and outcomes. (1)