Unit of competency details

Release 

TP Version 

Comments 

1

ACM10v3

Initial release

ACMCAS306A

Provide grooming services for companion animal comfort

ACMCAS307A

Provide companion animal hydro-bathing services

ACMGRM301A

Perform dog grooms on different coat types

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 

1. Identify dogs within the Gun dog breed group as recognised in Australia 

1.1 Classification as Gun dog is determined.

1.2 Range of dogs and coat types within the Gun dog group are identified.

1.3 Requirements of the breed for grooming to show standards are identified.

2. Identify dogs within the Working dog breed group as recognised in Australia

2.1 Classification as Working dog breed is determined.

2.2 Range of dogs and coat types within the Working dog group are identified.

2.3 Requirements of the breed for grooming to show standards are identified.

3. Identify dogs within the Hound breed group as recognised in Australia

3.1 Classification as Hound breed is determined

3.2 Range of dogs and coat types within the Hound group are identified

3.3 Requirements of the breed for grooming to show standards are identified.

4. Prepare Gun dog and Working dog group dogs for styling

4.1 External evacuation of animal’s anal glands is performed, if required.

4.2 Dogs are washed according to coat types and condition.

4.3 Products  are applied to coats to manage styling techniques for Gun dog coat types.

4.4 Products are applied to coats to manage styling techniques for Working dog group coat types.

4.5 Coats are dried according to coat types and Gun dog breed standards.

4.6 Coats are dried according to coat types and Working dog breed standards.

5. Clean, trim or pluck Gun dog and Working dog group coat furnishings

5.1 Nails are trimmed.

5.2 Eyes are cleaned and surrounding hair trimmed or plucked according to breed standards.

5.3 Ears are cleaned and hair trimmed or plucked according to breed standards.

5.4 Stains are removed from white or light coloured coats.

5.5 Face wrinkles are cleaned.

5.6 Feet hair is trimmed.

6. Groom and style Gun dog group coats

6.1 Grooming styles  for Gun dog group breeds and coat types are identified.

6.2 Techniques used to establish and maintain grooming styles  for Gun dog group breeds and coat types are performed.

6.3 Grooming techniques  are used to complete Gun dog group breeds styles.

6.4 Scissoring and hand finishing techniques are used to complete clipping of Gun dog group breeds.

7. Groom and style Working dog group breeds and coat types

7.1 Grooming styles for Working dog group breeds and coat types are identified.

7.2 Techniques used to establish and maintain grooming styles for Working dog group breeds and coat types are performed.

7.3 Grooming techniques are used to complete Working dog group breeds styles.

7.4 Scissoring and hand finishing techniques are used to complete clipping of Working dog group breeds.

8. Groom and style Hound group breeds and coat types

8.1 Grooming styles for Hound group breeds and coat types are identified.

8.2 Techniques used to establish and maintain grooming styles for Hound group breeds and coat types are performed.

8.3 Grooming techniques are used to complete Hound group breeds styles.

8.4 Scissoring and hand finishing techniques are used to complete clipping of Hound group breeds.

9. Complete post styling procedures

9.1 Techniques for maintaining breed and coat types  between styling sessions are explained to clients.

9.2 Records are updated.

9.3 Equipment is cleaned and maintained.

9.4 Styling area is cleaned and waste disposed of with consideration to environmental and biosecurity hazards. 

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

Required skills include:

Ability to: 

• apply a range of industry recognised styling procedures for different dog coat types and breed standards in Gun dog, Working dog and Hound breed groups
• apply problem solving skills using available information and resources and prioritising daily tasks
• complete relevant work-related documents
• differentiate between show standard and comfort styling techniques for Gun dog, Working dog and Hound breed standards and coat types
• employ interpersonal skills to work with others and relate to people from a range of cultural, social and religious backgrounds and with a range of physical and mental abilities
• employ safe, humane and environmentally responsible organisational systems and procedures when working with and handling animals
• follow sequenced written instructions, record accurately and legibly information collected and select and apply procedures to a range of defined tasks
• follow workplace policies, procedures and requirements
• identify dog behavioural characteristics and use dog handling and restraint techniques to ensure dog and staff safety
• identify Gun dogs, Working dogs and Hounds using Australian breed standards
• identify Gun dog, Working dog and Hound coat types and determine coat characteristics
• identify dog grooming and styling tools and equipment, selecting and using for specific purpose and maintaining in accordance with manufacturers' specifications
• introduce puppies to grooming and styling procedures and prepare coats to establish Gun dog, Working dog and Hound breed standard features
• maintain the highest standards of hygiene and infection control at all times to reduce the risk of infection and cross-infection
• select and apply styling products for different coat types and conditions
• use literacy skills to read and follow organisation policies and procedures, including workplace health and safety, infection control and waste management procedures
• use oral communication skills including questioning techniques, active listening, asking for clarification and consulting with supervisors
• use numeracy skills to estimate, calculate and record routine and more complex workplace elements
• use safe manual handling techniques and/or equipment
• use safe, hygienic and environmentally friendly waste handling and disposal procedures.

Required knowledge includes:

Knowledge of: 

• Australian National Kennel Council Gun dog, Working dog and Hound breed standards
• dog anatomy and physiology related to grooming procedures
• industry recognised grooming and styling establishment, maintenance and restoration techniques, procedures and equipment for Gun dog and Working dog coat types and conditions
• dog behaviour traits, signs of distress or illness
• organisation policies, procedures and requirements, including workplace health and safety and emergency procedures, hygiene standards and waste disposal regulations
• principles of animal ethics and welfare
• dog grooming and styling products, techniques and services
• relevant recordkeeping systems
• workplace health and safety and animal welfare legislative requirements and codes of practice
• safe dog handling and restraint techniques and procedures
• safe work practices
• show grooming requirements for Gun dog, Working dog and Hound breed standards and coat types
• use and maintenance of a range of grooming and styling equipment
• techniques used to introduce puppies and inexperienced dogs to grooming and styling
• workplace hygiene standards, disinfectants, cleaning agents, cleaning techniques and cleaning equipment and materials.

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).

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.