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.
Breed groups as recognised in Australia
Breed groups recognised by the Australian National Kennel Council.
Products may include:
Anti static spray, blow dry cream, chalk, clarifying, coat relaxer, coat setting, conditioner for specific coat types, cover-up cream, de-tangler, deodorising, dry cleaning shampoo, parasite treatments, shampoo for specific coat and skin types, shimmer dust, shine, volumiser.
Grooming styles may include:
the range of clip styles found in specific dog breed groups for coat types including: broken, corded, curly, fine, hairless, long, non-shedding, nordic, patterned, rough, shedding, short, smooth
clip styles for specific breeds
clip styles for anatomical features including:
body: light blending, natural coat, necks left longer than the body, parts of body close clipped
tuck up: extreme, moderate, tapered
head: head longer than body, round and broad shape, top knot
ear hair: natural, short, shaved, blunt (whole ear, tip only)
eyebrows: arched, V cut, visor cut
whiskers: beard (cut parallel to the head, goatee, moustaches, tapered)
face: blunt, long, narrow, rectangular, roman nose, round (shaved or trimmed between the eyes)
furnishings: column, Turkish pants
feet: round, hare, cat, oval (trim between toes, trim between pads)
tail: carrot, natural, pom pom, short trimmed, whip.
Techniques used to establish and maintain grooming styles may include:
blow drying
hand plucking
introducing puppies to clipping
scissoring techniques for various body parts
stripping
tweezering
use of clippers and blades for specific coat types, breed standards and body areas.
Techniques for maintaining breed and coat types
Techniques for maintaining breed and coat types may include use of grooming tools and techniques for:
grooming for coat types and body areas and to:
lay coat
remove and prevent knots and mats
remove debris
volumize coat
washing for coat and skins conditions, to remove stains, to control parasites
protection to reduce tangling and exposure to debris or dirt by:
banding
snooding
wrapping.
Environmental and biosecurity hazards 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 styling requirements with client/owner
follow workplace instructions to apply industry recognised grooming and styling techniques to establish/maintain/restore coat, breed and conformation features for Gun dog, Working dog and Hound breeds
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 styling of their Gun dog, Working dog and Hound breed group dogs
maintain records and follow-up with clients as required.
The skills and knowledge required to carry out breed standard styling on Gun, Working dog and Hound dog breed groups 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 specialist Gun dog, Working dog and Hound specific breed group dog grooming and styling 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 from the Gun dog, Working dog and Hound breed groups 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 and styling techniques, on at least one coat type and clip type from each breed group. This must include at least one styling trim on a spaniel or setter and hand stripping on gun dogs must be demonstrated. 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).