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Unit of competency details

ACMSPE316 - Provide general care of domestic dogs (Release 1)

Summary

Usage recommendation:
Current
Mapping:
MappingNotesDate
Supersedes and is equivalent to ACMSPE304 - Provide basic care of domestic dogsChanged title. Minor changes to performance criteria for clarity. Assessment requirements updated 12/Apr/2021

Release Status:
Current
Releases:
ReleaseRelease date
1 1 (this release) 13/Apr/2021


Classifications

SchemeCodeClassification value
ASCED Module/Unit of Competency Field of Education Identifier 050105 Animal Husbandry  

Classification history

SchemeCodeClassification valueStart dateEnd date
ASCED Module/Unit of Competency Field of Education Identifier 050105 Animal Husbandry  13/Apr/2021 
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Unit of competency

Modification History

Release

Comments

Release 1

This version released with ACM Animal Care and Management Training Package Version 4.0.

Application

This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to identify dogs and their behavioural and physical needs, and provide daily care requirements.

This unit applies to individuals working in the animal care industry where domestic dogs are bred, reared, trained, cared for or housed. This may include animal shelters, pet shops, breeding or boarding kennels, companion animal training or grooming establishments or similar workplaces. This unit applies to individuals who work under broad supervision and provide and communicate solutions to a range of predictable problems.

All work must be carried out to comply with workplace procedures according to Commonwealth and state/territory health and safety and animal welfare regulations, legislation and standards that apply to the workplace.

No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.

Pre-requisite Unit

Nil

Unit Sector

Species Specific (SPE)

Elements and Performance Criteria

Elements

Performance Criteria

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element.

1. Identify common dog breeds

1.1 Define the breed characteristics of dogs commonly cared for within the facility

1.2 Identify and describe physical characteristics of dogs using industry terminology

1.3 Identify breeds of dogs using industry classification and terminology

1.4 Define, interpret and document breed, colours, markings and other identifying features

2. Identify and evaluate behavioural and housing needs

2.1 Identify indicators of animal comfort and normal behaviour

2.2 Recognise signs of distress and report to supervisor

2.3 Identify industry standards and guidelines for housing design, environmental factors and appropriate stocking densities

2.4 Assess current animal housing design in relation to the welfare of the dogs kept and legislation requirements

2.5 Identify behavioural enrichment activities for specific dog

3. Handle and restrain dogs

3.1 Identify workplace health and safety risks associated with handling and restraining dogs

3.2 Implement methods to minimise safety risks and use appropriate personal protective equipment

3.3 Select and use humane equipment to restrain and handle dogs according to current scientifically validated approaches

3.4 Approach and restrain dogs using low stress handling techniques to minimise risks to the animal and others

4. Assist with health care needs

4.1 Identify signs of good health in dogs

4.2 Report signs of disease or other conditions to supervisor

4.3 Identify general health maintenance and preventative treatment procedures, and implement in line with level of job responsibility

5. Feed dogs

5.1 Identify digestive system features and relate to dog-specific feeding routines and diets

5.2 Identify preferred food sources and assess for quality and suitability

5.3 Identify potential feeding hazards and implement risk control options

5.4 Prepare food in accordance with dietary needs

5.5 Distribute food and water according to schedule feeding plan or animal requirements

6. Maintain records

6.1 Complete feed and treatment records noting food consumption, health and care activities

6.2 Report abnormalities to supervisor

6.3 Complete documentation relevant to licences and transport, where required

Foundation Skills

This section describes those language, literacy, numeracy and employment skills that are essential for performance in this unit of competency but are not explicit in the performance criteria.

Skill

Description

Reading

  • Interpret key information and quantities specified on product labels

Numeracy

  • Measure quantities of food and/or health treatments accurately

Unit Mapping Information

Code and title current version

Code and title previous version

Comments

Equivalence status

ACMSPE316 Provide general care of domestic dogs

ACMSPE304 Provide basic care of domestic dogs

Changed title

Minor changes to performance criteria for clarity

Assessment requirements updated

Equivalent

Links

Companion Volumes, including Implementation Guides, are available at VETNet: - https://vetnet.gov.au/Pages/TrainingDocs.aspx?q=b75f4b23-54c9-4cc9-a5db-d3502d154103

 

Assessment requirements

Modification History

Release

Comments

Release 1

This version released with ACM Animal Care and Management Training Package Version 4.0.

Performance Evidence

An individual demonstrating competency must satisfy all of the elements and performance criteria in this unit.

There must be evidence that the individual has:

  • identified the specific characteristics and needs of domestic dogs for three different breeds covering two different life stages selected from puppy, adult, or senior
  • provided general care for a minimum of two dogs of different breeds or different life stages, including for each:
  • demonstrated appropriate restraint and safe, low stress handling techniques
  • evaluated appropriate housing to ensure the welfare of the dogs
  • prepared and provided food
  • assisted with health care needs
  • maintained feed and husbandry records for each dog.

Knowledge Evidence

An individual must be able to demonstrate the knowledge required to perform the tasks outlined in the elements and performance criteria of this unit. This includes knowledge of:

  • anatomical structures and physiological features used to identify and classify common breeds of domestic dog
  • overview of the Australian National Kennel Council breed standard guidelines
  • general health maintenance and preventative treatment procedures for dogs
  • housing and social needs of dogs and environmental impacts on health and wellbeing
  • indicators of physical condition and signs of good health in dogs
  • natural dog behaviour, including body language, vocal and other forms of communication
  • normal behaviour patterns:
  • activity levels appropriate for age, including puppy socialisation
  • social behaviour towards conspecifics and other species, including humans
  • inappropriate or undesirable behaviours:
  • destructive behaviour
  • excessive vocalisation
  • repetitive or stereotypic behaviour patterns
  • signs of anxiety, stress and fear
  • dog enrichments, including:
  • food or food-related enrichment
  • physical enrichment items
  • activity options
  • social enrichment
  • potential hazards and risks to animals and staff during feeding and cleaning of housing, including zoonoses
  • safe, low stress dog handling techniques and procedures, potential hazards and control measures, including personal protective equipment
  • the principles of animal welfare and overview of animal welfare assessment frameworks/models, including the Five Domains
  • types and impacts of food in dog diets
  • indicators of food quality, including nutritional value, freshness and shelf life, free from spoilage and pests
  • types of information reported and recorded in animal care workplaces
  • key requirements of Commonwealth and state/territory legislation, licensing and codes of practice related to domestic dogs, biosecurity and quarantine, health and safety and animal welfare.

Assessment Conditions

Assessment of the skills in this unit of competency must take place under the following conditions:

  • physical conditions:
  • an animal care workplace or an environment that accurately represents workplace conditions
  • resources, equipment and materials:
  • live domestic dogs of different breeds as required in the performance evidence
  • equipment and resources typically available in an animal care environment, including personal protective equipment
  • specifications:
  • organisational policies and procedures, current legislation and relevant codes of practice
  • relationships:
  • supervisor.

Assessors of this unit must satisfy the requirements for assessors in applicable vocational education and training legislation, frameworks and/or standards.

Links

Companion Volumes, including Implementation Guides, are available at VETNet: - https://vetnet.gov.au/Pages/TrainingDocs.aspx?q=b75f4b23-54c9-4cc9-a5db-d3502d154103