This unit of competency supports kennel hands, trainers and others in the greyhound racing industry who may be required to attend greyhounds during exercise routines.

This unit can be contextualised for other industries while also maintaining the integrity of the unit.

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

Prepare greyhounds for exercise.

1. Greyhounds to be exercised are verified .

2. Greyhound preparations for exercise are implemented according to kennel procedures.

3. Potential exercise hazards are considered and risk control measures applied.

Exercise greyhounds.

4. Greyhounds are handled according to rules and protocols specific to exercise activity and location.

5. Exercise activities are conducted.

Perform post-exercise procedures.

6. Kennel procedures for the post-exercise care of greyhounds are followed.

7. Irregularities with greyhound or gear are reported.

Required skills

applying safe handling and work practices when dealing with greyhounds

catching, leading, and controlling greyhounds

communicating with employer, supervisor, co-workers and others using assertive communication techniques to gather and relay information related to attending greyhounds during exercise routines

completing duties in accordance with safe operating procedures and nominated time frame

evaluating risks associated with working around greyhounds

following directions

identifying and correctly using different items of working and grooming gear

identifying common greyhound illnesses or injuries

identifying greyhound behaviour, social traits and vices

identifying individual greyhounds

preparing greyhounds for exercise

performing post-exercise procedures

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

verbal and written communication skills to complete workplace documentation and related reports.

Required knowledge

basic industry terminology related to greyhound exercise procedures

characteristics of healthy greyhounds

communication procedures within kennel and wider racing industry

common greyhound behaviour, social traits and vices

common greyhound illnesses or injuries

council regulations regarding walking and slipping greyhounds in public areas

effective working relationships, including teamwork

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 are to apply when performing kennel duties related to attending greyhounds during exercise routines

implementation of procedures and timely techniques for the safe, effective and efficient performance of greyhound exercise duties

working with others to undertake and complete kennel 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 the required resources or simulated environment approved by the relevant State Principal Racing Authority. 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

materials and equipment relevant to assessing candidate's ability to attend greyhounds during exercise routines

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

simulation exercises conducted in a State Principal Racing Authority approved simulated environment.

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:

RGRPSG203A Perform kennel duties.

Guidance information for assessment

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).

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 attend greyhounds during exercise routines. Workplaces include greyhound kennels and racecourses, training tracks and public areas.

Verifying greyhounds to be exercised may include:

asking questions

checking worksheets against kennel numbers

identifying individual greyhound features.

Preparations for exercise may include:

applying bandages as required

assisting with transportation requirements

checking feed and water intake

checking greyhound for symptoms of illness or injury, including:

cuts or abrasions

heat in limbs

lameness

strains or sprains

checking gear for signs of wear or damage, then fitting gear, including:

collar

lead

muzzle

grooming to instructions.

Potential exercise hazards may include:

considering variables that influence behaviour of greyhounds, such as:

fences and equipment

lure

other persons or animals

vehicles

wind or noise

considering weather conditions, including:

excessive heat

rain

crossing or walking along roads

materials or equipment that may lead to injured greyhounds or people, including:

lure

walking machines

insecure boundary fencing

number of greyhounds to be walked or exercised by one handler

potential for greyhounds to get out of collar

walking greyhounds in areas used by the public to exercise pet dogs.

Rules and protocols may include:

council regulations regarding walking and slipping greyhounds

local track rules and regulations

relevant road rules

rules of racing, including:

animal welfare principles

drugs and alcohol.

Exercise activity may include:

free exercise for greyhounds in open spaces or in exercise yards, singly or in groups

hand slipping

road or pubic area walking

field trials, including:

straight tracks

circular tracks

swimming

walking machines.

Kennel procedures for post-exercise care may include:

cooling greyhounds down

checking for injuries

hosing and bathing

grooming

reporting irregularities or injuries

walking or transporting from track if required.

Irregularities with greyhound or gear may include:

gear breakage or signs of wear or damage

symptoms of illness or injury

slow post-exercise recovery rate.

Unit Sector

Greyhound racing code

This unit contains employability skills.