Unit of competency details

Unit descriptor 

This unit of competency specifies the outcomes required to prepare and exercise greyhounds and conduct post-exercise care procedures.

To undertake this unit the candidate will be able to apply safe greyhound handling skills and follow workplace OHS standards. It is recommended that RGRPSG201A Handle greyhounds be delivered in conjunction with or before this unit of competency.

This unit of competency operates in work environments of racing kennels, racecourses and public areas.

Licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements may apply to this unit. Check with your State Principal Racing Authority for current license or registration requirements.

Application of the unit 

This unit of competency supports kennel hands, trainers and others in the greyhound racing industry who may be required to attend greyhounds during exercise routines.

This unit can be contextualised for other industries while also maintaining the integrity of the unit.

Prerequisite units 

Employability skills 

This unit contains employability skills.

Elements describe the essential outcomes of a unit of competency.

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

ELEMENT 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

Prepare greyhounds for exercise.

1. Greyhounds to be exercised are verified  .

2. Greyhound preparations for exercise  are implemented according to kennel procedures.

3. Potential exercise hazards  are considered and risk control measures applied.

Exercise greyhounds.

4. Greyhounds are handled according to rules and protocols  specific to exercise activity  and location.

5. Exercise activities are conducted.

Perform post-exercise procedures.

6. Kennel procedures  for the post-exercise care of greyhounds are followed.

7. Irregularities with greyhound or gear are reported.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE 

This section describes the skills and knowledge required for this unit.

Required skills 

• applying safe handling and work practices when dealing with greyhounds
• catching, leading, and controlling greyhounds
• communicating with employer, supervisor, co-workers and others using assertive communication techniques to gather and relay information related to attending greyhounds during exercise routines
• completing duties in accordance with safe operating procedures and nominated time frame
• evaluating risks associated with working around greyhounds
• following directions
• identifying and correctly using different items of working and grooming gear
• identifying common greyhound illnesses or injuries
• identifying greyhound behaviour, social traits and vices
• identifying individual greyhounds
• preparing greyhounds for exercise
• performing post-exercise procedures
• reading and interpreting workplace documentation, including relevant rules of racing
• relating to people from a range of social, cultural and ethnic backgrounds and with varying physical and mental abilities
• verbal and written communication skills to complete workplace documentation and related reports.

Required knowledge 

• basic industry terminology related to greyhound exercise procedures
• characteristics of healthy greyhounds
• communication procedures within kennel and wider racing industry
• common greyhound behaviour, social traits and vices
• common greyhound illnesses or injuries
• council regulations regarding walking and slipping greyhounds in public areas
• effective working relationships, including teamwork

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 are to apply when performing kennel duties related to attending greyhounds during exercise routines
• implementation of procedures and timely techniques for the safe, effective and efficient performance of greyhound exercise duties
• working with others to undertake and complete kennel 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 the required resources or simulated environment approved by the relevant State Principal Racing Authority. 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
• materials and equipment relevant to assessing candidate's ability to attend greyhounds during exercise routines
• 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
• simulation exercises conducted in a State Principal Racing Authority approved simulated environment.

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:

• RGRPSG203A Perform kennel duties.

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).

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 attend greyhounds during exercise routines. Workplaces include greyhound kennels and racecourses, training tracks and public areas.

Verifying  greyhounds to be exercised may include:

• asking questions
• checking worksheets against kennel numbers
• identifying individual greyhound features.

Preparations for exercise  may include:

• applying bandages as required
• assisting with transportation requirements
• checking feed and water intake
• checking greyhound for symptoms of illness or injury, including:

• cuts or abrasions
• heat in limbs
• lameness
• strains or sprains

• checking gear for signs of wear or damage, then fitting gear, including:

• collar
• lead
• muzzle

• grooming to instructions.

Potential exercise hazards  may include:

• considering variables that influence behaviour of greyhounds, such as:

• fences and equipment
• lure
• other persons or animals
• vehicles
• wind or noise

• considering weather conditions, including:

• excessive heat
• rain

• crossing or walking along roads
• materials or equipment that may lead to injured greyhounds or people, including:

• lure
• walking machines

• insecure boundary fencing
• number of greyhounds to be walked or exercised by one handler
• potential for greyhounds to get out of collar
• walking greyhounds in areas used by the public to exercise pet dogs.

Rules and protocols  may include:

• council regulations regarding walking and slipping greyhounds
• local track rules and regulations
• relevant road rules
• rules of racing, including:

• animal welfare principles
• drugs and alcohol.

Exercise activity  may include:

• free exercise for greyhounds in open spaces or in exercise yards, singly or in groups
• hand slipping
• road or pubic area walking
• field trials, including:

• straight tracks
• circular tracks

• swimming
• walking machines.

Kennel procedures  for post-exercise care may include:

• cooling greyhounds down
• checking for injuries
• hosing and bathing
• grooming
• reporting irregularities or injuries
• walking or transporting from track if required.

Irregularities with greyhound or gear  may include:

• gear breakage or signs of wear or damage
• symptoms of illness or injury
• slow post-exercise recovery rate.

Unit Sector 

Greyhound racing code

Co-requisite units 

Functional Area 

Racing performance services