Assessor Resource

AMPA2177
Handle working dogs in stock yards

Assessment tool

Version 1.0
Issue Date: April 2024


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.

You may want to include more information here about the target group and the purpose of the assessments (eg formative, summative, recognition)


Evidence Required

List the assessment methods to be used and the context and resources required for assessment. Copy and paste the relevant sections from the evidence guide below and then re-write these in plain English.

Element

Performance criteria

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element.

1. Prepare yards and dogs for work

1.1 Identify workplace health and safety hazards in stock yards

1.2 Identify hazards to the welfare of working dogs in stock yards

1.3 Routinely check yards for animal welfare hazards, assess risks, and implement suitable controls

1.4 Select, use and maintain suitable Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

1.5 Check dogs before and after work to ensure their condition and health are maintained

1.6 Identify and report unhealthy or injured dogs to foreman or manager

2. Muster and move livestock using working dogs

2.1 Identify and explain the relevant sections of applicable animal welfare standards and regulations

2.2 Use dogs suitable for the task for working livestock

2.3 Explain and demonstrate principles of low stress livestock handling

2.4 Follow workplace health and safety and workplace procedures for working with dogs and livestock

2.5 Check, muster and move livestock in holding pens, yards and laneways

3. Care for working dogs

3.1 Explain and follow workplace requirements for housing dogs

3.2 Explain workplace health and safety risks associated with working and handling dogs and follow workplace requirements

3.3 Explain and meet dietary requirements of working dogs

3.4 Clean and check kennels as a part of regular daily routines

3.5 Identify common working dog conditions

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

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

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.

Submission Requirements

List each assessment task's title, type (eg project, observation/demonstration, essay, assingnment, checklist) and due date here

Assessment task 1: [title]      Due date:

(add new lines for each of the assessment tasks)

Assessment Tasks

Copy and paste from the following data to produce each assessment task. Write these in plain English and spell out how, when and where the task is to be carried out, under what conditions, and what resources are needed. Include guidelines about how well the candidate has to perform a task for it to be judged satisfactory.

Element

Performance criteria

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element.

1. Prepare yards and dogs for work

1.1 Identify workplace health and safety hazards in stock yards

1.2 Identify hazards to the welfare of working dogs in stock yards

1.3 Routinely check yards for animal welfare hazards, assess risks, and implement suitable controls

1.4 Select, use and maintain suitable Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

1.5 Check dogs before and after work to ensure their condition and health are maintained

1.6 Identify and report unhealthy or injured dogs to foreman or manager

2. Muster and move livestock using working dogs

2.1 Identify and explain the relevant sections of applicable animal welfare standards and regulations

2.2 Use dogs suitable for the task for working livestock

2.3 Explain and demonstrate principles of low stress livestock handling

2.4 Follow workplace health and safety and workplace procedures for working with dogs and livestock

2.5 Check, muster and move livestock in holding pens, yards and laneways

3. Care for working dogs

3.1 Explain and follow workplace requirements for housing dogs

3.2 Explain workplace health and safety risks associated with working and handling dogs and follow workplace requirements

3.3 Explain and meet dietary requirements of working dogs

3.4 Clean and check kennels as a part of regular daily routines

3.5 Identify common working dog conditions

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

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

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.
Copy and paste from the following performance criteria to create an observation checklist for each task. When you have finished writing your assessment tool every one of these must have been addressed, preferably several times in a variety of contexts. To ensure this occurs download the assessment matrix for the unit; enter each assessment task as a column header and place check marks against each performance criteria that task addresses.

Observation Checklist

Tasks to be observed according to workplace/college/TAFE policy and procedures, relevant legislation and Codes of Practice Yes No Comments/feedback
Identify workplace health and safety hazards in stock yards 
Identify hazards to the welfare of working dogs in stock yards 
Routinely check yards for animal welfare hazards, assess risks, and implement suitable controls 
Select, use and maintain suitable Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). 
Check dogs before and after work to ensure their condition and health are maintained 
Identify and report unhealthy or injured dogs to foreman or manager 
Identify and explain the relevant sections of applicable animal welfare standards and regulations 
Use dogs suitable for the task for working livestock 
Explain and demonstrate principles of low stress livestock handling 
Follow workplace health and safety and workplace procedures for working with dogs and livestock 
Check, muster and move livestock in holding pens, yards and laneways 
Explain and follow workplace requirements for housing dogs 
Explain workplace health and safety risks associated with working and handling dogs and follow workplace requirements 
Explain and meet dietary requirements of working dogs 
Clean and check kennels as a part of regular daily routines 
Identify common working dog conditions 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

AMPA2177 - Handle working dogs in stock yards
Assessment task 1: [title]

Student name:

Student ID:

I declare that the assessment tasks submitted for this unit are my own work.

Student signature:

Result: Competent Not yet competent

Feedback to student

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:

Assessment Record Sheet

AMPA2177 - Handle working dogs in stock yards

Student name:

Student ID:

Assessment task 1: [title] Result: Competent Not yet competent

(add lines for each task)

Feedback to student:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Overall assessment result: Competent Not yet competent

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:

Student signature:

Date: