Application
The unit supports the attainment of skills and knowledge for preparing stimulus aids for use with dogs. The unit may be customised, particularly regarding the materials to be used in the preparation of stimulus aids and the odours the dogs are required to detect based on different requirements of the organisation, function of the work team and location.
Prerequisites
Not applicable.
Elements and Performance Criteria
ELEMENT | PERFORMANCE CRITERIA |
1Identify and procure appropriate materials to use for making stimulus aids. | 1.1 Identify the types of odours that can be used for training and working dogs. 1.2 Source suitable resources to prepare stimulus aids. 1.3 Ensure that the target odour is fresh and capable of producing maximum detectable scents. |
2Prepare stimulus aids. | 2.1 Prepare stimulus aids according to organisational policies and procedures. 2.2 Wear a variety of odour-free plastic or rubber gloves at all times when preparing stimulus aids. 2.3 Use methods of preparing stimulus aids that prevent cross-contamination of odours. 2.4 Ensure areas where stimulus aids are produced and stored are kept spotlessly clean and free from cross-contamination from other odours. 2.5 Use varying amounts of target odour according to the experience level of the dog and the situation or purpose of the training exercise. 2.6 Identify factors that may affect the preparation and use of stimulus aids. |
3Clean area after preparation of stimulus aids. | 3.1 Use odour-free detergents with hot or cold water to thoroughly clean all surfaces and implements used for the preparation of stimulus aids. |
4Clean materials used in exercise. | 4.1 Break down all reusable materials used in the construction of stimulus aids and clean them thoroughly. 4.2 Dry materials and store them for re-use away from sources of cross-contamination. |
5Complete records for the organisation. | 5.1 Complete the records of materials used to prepare stimulus aids as required by the administrative requirements of the organisation and the workplace. |
Required Skills
This section describes the essential skills and knowledge and their level, required for this unit. |
Required skills: solving problems to deal with workplace safety risks applying basic first aid techniques evaluating operation's activities and communicating ideas and information planning and organising activities to prepare for the deployment of dogs in security situations responding appropriately to unauthorised and illegal materials in ways that preserve evidence transporting dogs safely collecting, analysing and organising information to produce records and reports. |
Required knowledge: basic first aid techniques that can be applied to dogs chain of evidence and security of evidence dog-training methodologies and practices organisational policies and procedures regarding the roles and purpose of dogs within the organisation legislative, organisation and unit policies and procedures regarding unauthorised and illegal materials methods for requesting the deployment of dogs in security situations work rosters and schedules of the work unit methods of transporting dogs safely and without stress capabilities of dogs working within the organisation records and reports required by legislative authorities, the organisation, work unit and animal welfare authorities work environment in which dogs could be deployed and emergencies that could arise within those environments. |
Evidence Required
The Evidence Guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, the range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for this Training Package. | |
Overview of assessment | Evidence for assessment must be gathered over time in a range of contexts to ensure the person can achieve the unit outcome and apply the competency in different situations or environments. |
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit | In addition to integrated demonstration of the elements and their related performance criteria, look for evidence that confirms: the knowledge requirements of this unit the skill requirements of this unit application of employability skills as they relate to this unit. |
Context of and specific resources for assessment | This unit contains knowledge that may be assessed off the job, for example, in a structured learning process, and performance outcomes which should be assessed ideally in the workplace in routine activities and in conjunction with other units with dog-handling skills set. Valid assessment of this unit requires: a workplace environment or one that closely resembles normal work practice and replicates the range of conditions likely to be encountered when preparing stimulus aids, including coping with difficulties, irregularities and changes to routine legislation, policy, procedures and guidelines relating to: preparation of stimulus aids use of stimulus aids in the organisation safety, health and welfare of dogs working in security situations security of unauthorised and illegal materials access to appropriate learning and assessment support when required. |
Method of assessment | The following assessment methods are suggested: observation of performance in routine workplace activities within a range of agreed responsibilities and in various work locations written and/or oral questioning to assess knowledge and understanding completion of workplace documents and reports produced as part of routine work activities third-party reports from experienced practitioners completion of performance feedback from supervisors and colleagues. |
Guidance information for assessment | Assessment methods should reflect workplace demands, and any identified special needs of the candidate, including language and literacy implications and cultural factors that may affect responses to the questions. In all cases where practical assessment is used it will be combined with targeted questioning to assess the underpinning knowledge. |
Range Statement
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 in the performance criteria is detailed below. Add any 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. | |
Types of odours can include: | narcotics amphetamines other tablets alcohol food plant materials animal materials metals gun oil explosives propellants fuels money. |
Suitable resources can include: | actual or artificial materials that produce odours, such as heroin, marijuana, etc. fabrics, such as towelling and cotton rooms or areas where tracks and trails can be set people cardboard and wood constructions money. |
Organisational policies and procedures can include: | enabling legislation particularly those organisational policies and procedures relating to the preparation of stimulus aids for use with dogs workplace health and safety Acts, regulations and guidelines national and regional policies and procedures procedural guides, standard operating procedures and work instructions. |
Methods of preparing stimulus aids to include: | sourcing suitable materials for construction of stimulus aids determining amounts of source materials to be used in stimulus aids preventing cross-contamination of odours cleaning area and materials storing stimulus aids. |
Factors that may affect the preparation and use of stimulus aids include: | staff available to prepare stimulus aids variety in people preparing stimulus aids types of odours that are to be detected source material available to the organisation shelf life of source material length of time stimulus aids are sitting in location awaiting detection detection experience of the dog environment in which stimulus aids are prepared frequency of training using stimulus aids materials and conditions available that help to prevent cross-contamination of odours cleaning capacities within the preparation area suitable rewards, such as food areas where stimulus aids can be located for detection. |
Administrative requirements may include: | recording the acquisition of materials used completing records regarding the use of stimulus aids cross-referencing to other reports assigning a file number number of copies and where each is lodged. |
Sectors
Dog handling.
Competency Field
Not applicable.
Co-Requisites
Not applicable.
Employability Skills
This unit contains employability skills.
Licensing Information
Not applicable.