Application
This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to develop, conduct and review training classes for companion animals and their owners.
This unit applies to individuals who work in the companion animal industry sector where training classes are required to assist owners with modifying undesirable behaviour traits for a range of breeds and species. Training may include behavioural training in obedience, agility and socialisation conducted in group sessions, and will generally take place in public open spaces. This unit applies to individuals who analyse information and exercise judgement to complete a range of skilled activities and demonstrate deep knowledge in a specific technical area. They have accountability for the work of others and analyse, design and communicate solutions to a range of complex problems.
No occupational licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.
NOTE: The terms 'occupational health and safety' (OHS) and 'work health and safety' (WHS) generally have the same meaning in the workplace. In jurisdictions where the national model WHS legislation has not been implemented, RTOs must contextualise the unit of competency by referring to current OHS legislative requirements.
Elements and Performance Criteria
Elements | Performance Criteria |
Elements describe the essential outcomes. | Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. |
1. Develop class training plans | 1.1 Conduct research to explore community and client requirements for classes and to determine current acceptable training methods 1.2 Research behavioural traits for a range of breeds 1.3 Determine training strategies to achieve desirable behaviours 1.4 Determine training classes to be held according to workplace requirements 1.5 Develop class training plans according to workplace requirements and the goals of training classes to be held |
2. Advertise training classes | 2.1 Determine, evaluate and prepare venues for training classes 2.2 Prepare documents that itemise costs involved in training classes 2.3 Prepare advertising materials and distribute according to workplace requirements 2.4 Take bookings for classes and respond to enquiries appropriately |
3. Conduct training classes | 3.1 Select appropriate training equipment and use according to training plans 3.2 Conduct training according to training plans and industry standards, including WHS and animal welfare and ethics requirements 3.3 Observe behaviour of individual breeds and interaction between breeds, and manage to minimise stress in animals, owners and class participants 3.4 Maintain, hygienically clean and store training equipment according to workplace policies and procedures and relevant manufacturers' guidelines 3.5 Discuss progress of class participants with handlers or owners 3.6 Review and update training plans as required 3.7 Maintain records according to training plans and workplace policies and procedures |
4. Conduct ongoing assessments | 4.1 Review progress of animals according to training plans and discuss with clients 4.2 Review training plans and modify accordingly 4.3 Maintain training records according to industry standards |
5. Instruct classes in ongoing training maintenance | 5.1 Discuss strategies to achieve short-term and medium-term conditioning objectives with classes 5.2 Provide advice on longer-term objectives to classes 5.3 Provide advice to classes as required on animal's dietary, exercise and maintenance requirements according to training plans |
Foundation Skills
This section describes those language, literacy, numeracy and employment skills that are essential for performance in this unit of competency but are not explicit in the performance criteria.
Skill | Description |
Writing | Prepare and document training plans |
Oral communication | Explain animal behaviours to clients, and provide advice about how to manage those behaviours |
Sectors
Companion Animal Sector (CAS)