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

A person who demonstrates competency in this unit must be able to provide evidence of:

identifying and complying with licensing and documentation requirements for managing dogs for security work

maintaining the health, welfare and status of the dog including maintaining appropriate facilities and environment

recognising signs of poor dog health or abnormal behaviour and arranging appropriate treatment or retraining

selecting a dog based on breed type, drivers and behaviours to an identified role, and developing and implementing effective training programs using safe handling procedures.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Context of assessment includes:

a setting in the workplace or environment that simulates the conditions of performance described in the elements, performance criteria and range statement.

Resource implications for assessment include:

access to plain English version of relevant statutes and procedures

access to a registered provider of assessment services

access to a suitable venue and equipment

assessment instruments including personal planner and assessment record book

work schedules, organisational policies and duty statements.

Reasonable adjustments must be made to assessment processes where required for people with disabilities. This could include access to modified equipment and other physical resources, and the provision of appropriate assessment support.

Method of assessment

This unit of competency could be assessed using the following methods of assessment:

observation of processes and procedures

questioning of underpinning knowledge and skills.

Guidance information for assessment

Assessment processes and techniques must be culturally appropriate and suitable to the language, literacy and numeracy capacity of the candidate and the competency being assessed. In all cases where practical assessment is used, it should be combined with targeted questioning to assess the underpinning knowledge.

Oral questioning or written assessment may be used to assess underpinning knowledge. In assessment situations where the candidate is offered a choice between oral questioning and written assessment, questions are to be identical.

Supplementary evidence may be obtained from relevant authenticated correspondence from existing supervisors, team leaders or specialist training staff.

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

Required skills

arrange preventative health treatments for dogs

communicate effectively with people from different social, cultural and ethnic backgrounds and of varying physical and mental abilities

demonstrate safe dog handling practices

develop training programs for dogs applicable to security functions

maintain clean and safe facilities and environment

maintain health and welfare requirements of dogs

obtain relevant licensing for management of dogs

provide appropriate nutritional requirements for dogs

recognise health and welfare abnormalities of dogs

record and report information relating to management of dogs

select dog appropriate to meet security role requirements.

Required knowledge

applicable legal provisions covering management and use of dogs for security functions

areas of operation for dogs in security work

breeds, drives and behaviours of canines suitable to security work

canine health and nutritional requirements

canine preventative health treatments

canine security roles and functions

canine training standards and procedures relating to a security context

documentation requirements and procedures

infectious and contagious diseases related to dogs

licensing and registration requirements of domestic dogs

methods to train dog to show aggression or bite with control and conditioning

requirements for muzzle and tactical training of dogs

risks and hazards associated with training and caring for dogs and appropriate control measures

safe animal handling methods and techniques

standard of training for obedience and handler protection

training maintenance for dogs and handlers

training requirements to ensure dog can defend handler and not escalate risk.

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.

Legislative requirements may relate to:

animal welfare

apprehension and powers of arrest

counter-terrorism

crowd control and control of persons under the influence of intoxicating substances

force continuum, use of force guidelines

general 'duty of care' responsibilities

inspection of people and property, and search and seizure of goods

licensing or certification requirements

privacy and confidentiality

relevant commonwealth, state and territory legislation, codes and national standards for:

anti-discrimination

cultural and ethnic diversity

environmental issues

equal employment opportunity

industrial relations

OHS

relevant industry codes of practice

trespass and the removal of persons.

Organisational requirements may relate to:

access and equity policies, principles and practices

business and performance plans

client service standards

code of conduct, code of ethics

communication and reporting procedures

complaint and dispute resolution procedures

emergency and evacuation procedures

employer and employee rights and responsibilities

OHS policies, procedures and programs

own role, responsibility and authority

personal and professional development

privacy and confidentiality of information

quality assurance and continuous improvement processes and standards

resource parameters and procedures

roles, functions and responsibilities of security personnel

storage and disposal of information.

Assignment instructions may include:

assignment purpose and objective

assignment tasks and procedures

assignment timeframe

dog transportation arrangements

dog's feed, water and rest requirements

personal protection equipment

reporting and documentation requirements

resource and equipment requirements.

Relevant personsmay include:

animal welfare officers

canine breeders

clients

colleagues

supervisor

veterinarians.

Suitabilitymay relate to:

age

bark

breed

general health and condition

sex

size

temperament (non-biting).

Security rolemay include:

assisting with an arrest

foot and motor patrols

search of persons and baggage

search of property and premises.

Recordsmay provide:

desexing details

immunisation programs

pedigree details

registration details.

Trainingmay involve:

basic training commands eg heel, sit, down (drop), come, stay

patrolling

procedures to attack and control intruders

search procedures

working on or off lead.

Training, equipment and resourcesmay include:

appropriate venue

food and water

leads

muzzles

personal protective clothing and equipment

training materials.

Asystematic approachmay involve:

defined training objectives

regular monitoring and assessment processes

selection of most appropriate training method for dog and intended purpose

selection of training equipment to prevent cruelty (eg no inward pointing spiked collars, no electric collars)sequenced training activities.

Documentationmay include:

health and welfare records

nutrition records

training activity and log book.

Health, condition and statusassessment may include:

complying with registration requirements

conducting health checks for infectious and contagious diseases

conducting routine health checks (eg mange, eczema, internal and external parasites)

general observation of coat condition, weight, and alertness

maintaining up-to-date records of relevant vaccinations and boosters.

Dietmay include:

cereals

cooked offal

dry food

meat

prepared dog foods

vegetables.

Preventative health treatmentsmay be arranged for the treatment of:

internal and external parasites

vaccinations for distemper and parvo virus and other canine diseases.

Facilities and equipmentmay include:

chain

collar

identity discs

kennels and a safe environment

shade cover.