Unit of competency details

Unit descriptor 

This unit covers the process of selecting, training and caring for working dogs in the rural industry and defines the standard required to: select a working dog; develop training programs and apply effective training procedures; maintain health and welfare requirements and recognise abnormalities; provide a balanced diet, adequate water and housing.

Application of the unit 

This unit applies to farm workers who use dogs to handle stock and involves the application of some judgement and discretion.

Prerequisite units 

Employability skills 

This unit contains employability skills.

ELEMENT 

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA 

1. Identify role and select working dog

1.1. Working dog requirements for the enterprise are identified and confirmed.

1.2. Suitable working dog breeders and bloodlines are researched and availability determined.

1.3. Dogs are inspected for suitability and selected to meet role and enterprise requirements.

2. Develop and implement training program

2.1. Basic commands are taught.

2.2. The dog is introduced to a small flock in a confined area.

2.3. The dog is asked to handle larger numbers in more open areas.

2.4. Specialist skills such as backing and forcing are taught.

2.5. Existing and potential animal handling hazards in the workplace are identified, risk assessed and controlled in line with enterprise requirements.

3. Maintain welfare of working dog

3.1. Health, condition and status are monitored and maintained.

3.2. Diet is provided to meet nutritional requirements in consideration of work/training program.

3.3. Preventative health treatments are arranged and administered.

3.4. Facilities and equipment needs are provided and maintained in line with animal welfare requirements.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE 

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

Required skills 

• select working dog to meet requirements
• develop training programs and apply effective training procedures
• maintain health and welfare requirements and recognise abnormalities
• arrange and administer preventative health treatments
• maintain clean and safe facilities and workplace environment
• assess and calculate work area dimensions, and measure dietary requirements and preventative health treatments.
• demonstrate safe workplace and animal handling practices
• dispose of waste according to enterprise procedures
• use literacy skills to read, interpret and follow organisational policies and procedures, follow sequenced written instructions, record accurately and legible information collected and select and apply procedures for a range of tasks
• use oral communication skills/language competence to fulfil the job role as specified by the organisation, including questioning techniques, active listening, clarifying information and consulting with supervisors as required
• use interpersonal skills to work with and relate to people from a range of cultural, social and religious backgrounds and with a range of physical and mental abilities.

Required knowledge 

• canine breeds and behaviour, health and nutritional requirements
• effective canine training systems and procedures
• safe animal handling methods and techniques
• canine preventative health treatments
• dietary requirements of working dogs
• enterprise policies with regard to working dogs and recording and reporting routines.
• hazards associated with training and caring for working dogs and appropriate control measures
• State/Territory legislative and regulatory requirements with regard to OHS, animal welfare, and the registration and care of domestic dogs.

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.

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 holistically all of the requirements of the performance criteria and required skills and knowledge and include achievement of the following:

• select a working dog
• develop training programs and apply effective training procedures
• maintain health and welfare requirements and recognise abnormalities
• provide a balanced diet, adequate water and housing.

Context of and specific resources for assessment 

Competency requires the application of work practices under work conditions. Selection and use of resources for some worksites may differ due to the regional or enterprise circumstances.

RANGE STATEMENT 

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole.

Animals may include:

• all working dogs.

Unit sector 

Livestock

Co-requisite units 

Competency field