Unit of competency

Modification History

Application

This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to use and manage working dogs in stock yards and holding paddocks.

This unit is applicable to stock handlers using working dogs in yards and holding paddocks on farms, at saleyards and at abattoirs. Activities undertaken may including mustering holding paddocks, drafting stock, loading and unloading stock and feeding a race.

This Unit is not applicable to the training of working dogs or the use of working dogs on open range pastoral operations.

All work should be carried out to comply with workplace and hygiene requirements.

This unit applies to individuals who work under general supervision, exercise limited autonomy and have some accountability for their own work.

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

This unit must be delivered and assessed in the context of Australian meat processing standards and regulations.

Pre-requisite Unit

Nil.

Unit Sector

Elements and Performance Criteria

Foundation Skills

Foundation Skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency.

Range of Conditions

Unit Mapping Information

New unit -no equivalent unit.

Links

Companion Volume implementation guides are found in VETNet - https://vetnet.gov.au/Pages/TrainingDocs.aspx?q=5e2e56b7-698f-4822-84bb-25adbb8443a7

Assessment requirements

Modification History

Performance Evidence

The candidate must use and manage working dogs in stock yards and holding paddocks.

The candidate must:

• identify hazards and follow safe operating procedures in stock yards
• be observed safely checking working dogs prior to handling animals
• be able to identify signs of ill health or injury to the working dog
• be observed providing due care and handling animals safely and humanely
• observe, identify and react appropriately to WHS hazards
• observe, identify and assess hazards that may impact on animal welfare to the dog and livestock
• be able to explain and apply relevant regulatory requirements as applicable
• be able to describe and apply the principles of low stress stock handling
• be observed moving stock around pens, yards and laneways in lairage in accordance with workplace procedures
• be observed cleaning and maintain housing for dogs
• provide sufficient and suitable feed and fresh water for the working dog
• use oral communication skills/language competence to fulfil the job role as specified by the organisation including questioning, active listening, asking for clarification and seeking advice from supervisor
• use, maintain and store suitable personal protective equipment for working in yards

Knowledge Evidence

The candidate must demonstrate a basic factual, technical and procedural knowledge of:

• basic nutritional and welfare requirements of working dogs
• common working dog conditions including injury or illness and reporting procedures
• livestock behavioural characteristics and movement in handling areas
• dog suitability for the task
• principles of low stress handling when using a working dog
• WHS risks with working dogs and adhere to animal welfare legislative requirements
• the impact of stress and injury on livestock
• Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and work instructions for animal handling

Assessment Conditions

Competency should be demonstrated at the normal speed of production.

Assessment should take place in an operating meat processing plant.

The following three forms of assessment must be used:

• quiz of underpinning knowledge
• workplace demonstration or project
• workplace referee or third-party report of performance over time

Assessors must satisfy the current standards for RTOs.

Links

Companion Volume implementation guides are found in VETNet - https://vetnet.gov.au/Pages/TrainingDocs.aspx?q=5e2e56b7-698f-4822-84bb-25adbb8443a7