Unit of competency details

Elements describe the essential outcomes of a unit of competency.

Performance criteria describe the required performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised  text is used, further information is detailed in the required skills and knowledge and/or the range statement. Assessment of performance is to be consistent with the evidence guide.

ELEMENT 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

1 Identify the purpose for selecting dogs .

1.1 Confirm the work team and organisation's policies and procedures  regarding the use of dogs in the organisation.

1.2 Identify the roles of dogs  working within the organisation or work team and the purposes for their use.

1.3 Identify the need to recruit and train dogs to be used by the organisation or work team and the types of work  they will do.

2 Record information about possible dogs for selection .

2.1 Set up and maintain a file recording the contact details of the source of the dog  for ready access.

2.2 Record information  about available dog relevant to its recruitment and training.

3 Assess dogs for recruitment .

3.1 Observe and assess the dog for the desired characteristics , individual traits, habit and physical attributes  that would make it suitable for training, according to the criteria set by the organisation.

3.2 Record results of assessments, using them to determine suitability of the dog for the organisation's purposes and report them to the appropriate people.

3.3 Complete organisation's procedures for acquiring or rejecting the dog.

This section describes the essential skills and knowledge and their level, required for this unit.

Required skills :

• working independently and in teams to assess dogs for their suitability for particular roles within the organisation
• evaluating operation's activities and communicating ideas and information
• planning and organising activities for assessing and selecting dogs
• transporting dogs safely
• collecting, analysing and organising information to produce records and reports concerned with the acquisition of dogs for the organisation.

Required knowledge :

• organisational policies and procedures regarding the selection and use of dogs
• purposes for which dogs may be used within the organisation
• procedures for acquiring dogs
• records and reports that must be established and maintained about the acquisition of dogs for the organisation
• typical characteristics and temperaments of various breeds of dogs that are suited to working within the organisation
• anatomy and signs of health and ill health of dogs
• work environment in which dogs could be deployed and emergencies that could arise within those environments.

The Evidence Guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, the range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for this Training Package.

Overview of assessment 

Evidence for assessment must be gathered over time in a range of contexts to ensure the person can achieve the unit outcome and apply the competency in different situations or environments.

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit 

In addition to integrated demonstration of the elements and their related performance criteria, look for evidence that confirms:

• the knowledge requirements of this unit
• the skill requirements of this unit
• application of employability skills as they relate to this unit.

Context of and specific resources for assessment 

The unit contains knowledge which may be assessed off the job, for example, in a structured learning process, and performance outcomes which should be assessed ideally in the workplace in routine activities and in conjunction with other units within the dog handling skills set.

Valid assessment of this unit requires:

• a workplace environment or one that closely resembles normal work practice and replicates the range of conditions likely to be encountered when selecting and acquiring dogs, including coping with difficulties, irregularities and changes to routine
• legislation, policy, procedures and guidelines relating to:
• the role and purpose of dogs in the organisation
• safety, health and welfare of dogs working in the organisation
• access to appropriate learning and assessment support when required.

Method of assessment 

The following assessment methods are suggested:

• observation of performance in routine workplace activities within a range of agreed responsibilities and in various work locations
• written and/or oral questioning to assess knowledge and understanding
• completion of workplace documents and reports produced as part of routine work activities
• third-party reports from experienced practitioners
• completion of performance feedback from supervisors and colleagues.

Guidance information for assessment 

Assessment methods should reflect workplace demands, and any identified special needs of the candidate, including language and literacy implications and cultural factors that may affect responses to the questions.

In all cases where practical assessment is used it will be combined with targeted questioning to assess the underpinning knowledge.

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. Add any 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.

Organisation's policies and procedures  can include:

• enabling legislation
• particularly those organisational policies and procedures relating to the health and welfare of dogs within the organisation
• workplace health and safety Acts, regulations and guidelines
• national and regional policies and procedures including environmental and/or sustainability practices
• procedural guides, standard operating procedures and work instructions.

Roles of dogs  within the organisation or work team can include:

• detector dogs
• tracker dogs
• protection dogs
• border patrol dogs
• person searching dogs.

Types of work  can include:

• detection of drugs, explosives, weapons, accelerants and other illegal or prohibited materials
• protection of people
• protection of environment or property
• tracking movements of people or items
• detection of people or cadavers.

Source of the dog  can include:

• organisational breeding programs
• general dog breeders and owners
• donations
• animal welfare associations.

Recorded information  should include:

• name and address of breeder, donor or seller
• contact telephone number of breeder, donor or seller
• breed of dog
• age of dog
• basic characteristics of dog, e.g. very dominant, keen on retrieving, confident, etc.

Desired characteristics  for dogs should include:

• exhibiting high levels of inquisitiveness
• showing a strong desire to explore the environment and odours
• being positively responsive to petting and praise from strangers
• adapting readily to new situations, handlers and environment
• being sociable
• possessing high intelligence
• being alert and positively watchful of surroundings
• being bold and willing to accept new challenges with confidence
• having strong retrieval ability if that is a requirement of its role
• having a high level of self-confidence.

Physical attributes  of dogs include:

• healthy, shiny coat with no bare patches, etc.
• wet nose without discolouration, scales or discharge
• ears that are clean, not clipped and without foul odour or discharge
• bright, clear eyes with pink surrounding membranes
• mouth containing pink gums, complete set of white teeth and no foul odour
• feet that have all toes, solid whole pads and no overlong claws
• limbs and hips without signs of arthritis or dysplasia in the joints
• producing stools that are firm and moist, not sloppy
• clear of any parasitic infestations that cannot be treated
• body shape conforming to breed, without distortion of body length.