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

The evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit must be relevant to workplace operations and satisfy all of the requirements of the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge and the range statement of this unit and include evidence of the following:

knowledge of the requirements, procedures and instructions that apply to planning and implementing education and training programs for racing greyhounds

demonstration of methods used to assess performance, health and fitness status of greyhounds in different stages of training

demonstration of procedures and timely techniques for the safe, effective and efficient implementation of education and training programs for racing greyhounds

working with others to undertake and complete procedures that meet required outcomes.

Evidence should be collected over a period of time using a range of greyhounds of different ages, sexes and temperaments, and at different stages of preparation in racing kennel and track environments.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Competency must be assessed in a racing workplace that provides access to greyhounds that are being educated and trained in a commercial racing kennel under the care of a licensed trainer and the required resources. Assessment is to occur under standard and authorised work practices, safety requirements and environmental constraints. It is to comply with relevant regulatory requirements or Australian Standards requirements.

Assessment of the practical components of this unit will be by observation of relevant skills.

The following resources must be available:

a variety of greyhounds currently in training

materials and equipment relevant to assessing candidate's ability to educate and train greyhounds for racing

safe handling areas, such as commercial kennels, and training and racetracks

work instructions and related documentation.

Method of assessment

Assessment methods must satisfy the endorsed Assessment Guidelines of the Racing Training Package.

The suggested strategies for the assessment of this unit are:

written and/or oral assessment of candidate's required knowledge

observed, documented and firsthand testimonial evidence of candidate's application of practical tasks.

Evidence is required to be demonstrated over a period of time, therefore where performance is not directly observed any evidence should be authenticated by supervisors or other appropriate persons.

This unit may be assessed in a holistic way with other units of competency relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role, for example:

RGRPSG303A Determine nutritional requirements for racing greyhounds

RGRPSG401A Relate anatomical and physiological features to the care and treatment of greyhounds

RGRPSG402A Manage greyhound health and welfare.

Guidance information for assessment (optional)

Assessment methods should reflect workplace demands (e.g. literacy and numeracy demands) and the needs of particular target groups (e.g. people with disabilities, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, women, people with a language background other than English, youth and people from low socioeconomic backgrounds).

Required skills

adapting exercise and training programs according to individual greyhound responses and specific stages of preparation

adhering to responsibilities under OHS legislation and workplace practices

adhering to responsibilities under national and state codes of practice; federal, state and territory legislation; and local government regulations covering animal welfare

applying safe handling and work practices when dealing with greyhounds

assessing greyhound condition

assessing and responding to illnesses or injuries in greyhounds

calming and controlling greyhounds

communicating with kennel staff, greyhound breakers and health specialists and others using assertive communication techniques to gather and relay information related to educating and training greyhounds for racing

dealing with emergencies

evaluating and selecting greyhound breaking-in services

giving and receiving instructions

identifying behaviour traits of individual greyhounds

identifying illnesses and injuries in greyhounds

implementing greyhound training processes and procedures

investigating options to improve performance, including consulting specialists

measuring training times and evaluating results in relation to stages of education and fitness

overseeing health services for greyhounds in training

reading and interpreting workplace documentation, including relevant rules of racing

relating to people from a range of social, cultural and ethnic backgrounds and with varying physical and mental abilities

supporting others in handling and providing education and training services in the appropriate manner

teaching greyhounds to lead

teaching greyhounds to chase

written communication skills to compile and maintain greyhound education and training records and associated procedural documentation.

Required knowledge

communication procedures within kennel and wider racing industry

common greyhound behaviour, social traits and vices

common illnesses and injuries in greyhounds

effective working relationships, including teamwork

emergency control measures

greyhound trial and race times

industry terminology related to educating and training greyhounds

principles of greyhound learning theory

principles of planning training and racing programs for greyhounds

racing industry animal welfare requirements

stages of training and education of greyhounds for racing

racing industry safety requirements, including safe operating procedures

relevant rules of racing.

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.

The range statement provides details of how this competency can be used in the workplaces of the racing industry to plan and implement the education and training of greyhounds for racing. Workplaces include kennels and racecourses, training tracks and public areas.

Principles of learning theory may include:

associative and non-associative learning

classic and operant conditioning

influence of memory

motivation for learning

response to positive or negative reinforcement and punishment

social structure of canines and status of humans in a kennel situation

understanding impact of a greyhound's physical characteristics and behaviour as a sight hound.

Greyhounds may be introduced to chasing by:

chasing prior to breaking-in does not usually involve a mechanical race lure, other activities can be used, such as:

learning to chase a ball, squeaky toy or other object

learning to chase a skin or cloth dragged along the ground

watching other greyhounds chase a lure.

Greyhounds may be exercised by:

exercise in this instance is before breaking-in, so aims to provide mainly free exercise for the young pup to build stamina, and soft and hard tissue modelling as well as introducing competitive play with other greyhounds of a similar age and size

exercise may include:

in a long run

in a paddock

hand walking

in a puppy run.

Breaking-in may be conducted by:

greyhound's trainer

specialist breaker who is external to the kennel, in which case the greyhound housing, care and management skills of the breaker must be assessed.

Breaking-in method may include:

breaking-in skill development, including:

teaching greyhound to box:

load into the box

face the right direction

crouch ready to run

teaching greyhound to chase the lure:

for required distance

in the company of other greyhounds.

Greyhound skills, health and fitness considerations may include:

fitness:

is not lame

is willing to run and chase for an appropriate amount of time and at appropriate speeds compared to its age and time spent in breaking-in

passes a 3 minute body assessment

skills:

continues to chase without being distracted

covers a suitable distance in an acceptable gait and speed

follows lure with appropriate interest

loads into the box, faces the right way and jumps within expected time frame

health:

body weight and condition are acceptable for a greyhound after breaking-in

eats up its feed and drinks appropriate amounts of water

eyes, ears and nose are clear of discharge

vaccinations, worming and other treatments are up-to-date.

Racing kennel activities may include:

accepting restraints, including being led and tied-up

adapting to feeding routines

adapting to living in kennels

standing for grooming, washing or rugging

standing and working close to other greyhounds

using walking machines, treadmills, pools and spas

wearing rug, muzzle, collar and lead.

Training plans will include:

adhering to relevant rules and regulations

applying principles of training greyhounds

considering greyhound's age versus work capabilities

considering optimum time frame and sequence of activities, taking into account greyhound's:

age

mental attitude, including:

behaviour

temperament

race and trial experience to date

soundness

structural weaknesses

type, such as sprinter or stayer

weight

developing training plan to incorporate:

exercise via road walking, walking machine or swimming

galloping either freely or in exercise yards

introducing hand slips

straight track exercise

circular track exercise.

Feed and health care requirements may include:

blood tests indicate appropriate balance of electrolytes, adequate hydration and blood cell concentration

coat is shiny

eats up the feed provided

eyes are bright and greyhound is alert

faeces and urine output and quality are within normal range

is able to complete exercise tasks

maintains or increases weight

toes are in sound condition.

Trackwork times and behaviour may include:

greyhound hugs the rail, travels wide or runs mid-track

greyhound is willing to pass others during exercise

greyhound is willing to run close to other greyhounds

track times are within acceptable parameters for a particular track and conditions, as well as for the age and stage of training.

Specialist advice may include:

greyhound breaker

nutritionist

therapist, such as:

acupuncturist

chiropractor

massage therapist

veterinarian.

Records will include:

breeding and pedigree

details of owners

feeding regimes

health maintenance

training behaviour

training times and distances

training and work schedule

vaccination records

veterinary and therapeutic treatments.