Elements and Performance Criteria

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, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. 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) may also be included.
Creative styling
Creative styling applies to styling where dogs are groomed, clipped, dyed and decorated to look like breeds other than their own, other animals, machinery, equipment or natural objects or in other ways used as part of a creative scene
Before undertaking creative styling the operator must ensure the health and welfare of the animal will not be compromised
Dog breed characteristics
Dog breed characteristics may include physiological or behavioural characteristics that may be adversely affected by the use of dyes, decorations, costumes, ornaments, props, clipping styles or products including:
skin, eye, mouth, foot or other body part irritation caused by toxins or non-dog safe components that may pull on or in other ways affect dog comfort
exposure to the elements due to reduced fur or hair covering
overheating due to costume or styling products
reduction in mobility, vision, hearing.
Style themes
Styling themes include the planned incorporation of a dog by using a grooming and clipping style that transforms the dog into a different dog breed, other animal or as part of a scene using clipping, grooming, dyeing, decorations and costumes.
Decorations and accessories may include:
Decorations and accessories may include embellishments used to complete themes including:
decorative objects such as ribbons, bows, beads, glitter rhinestones or other items
hair extensions
costume or ornaments that do not hinder dog vision; mobility of action, ears, legs or tail and are removable for inspection for grooming and styling.
Techniques for maintaining breed and coat types
Techniques for maintaining breed and coat types may include use of grooming tools and techniques for:
grooming for coat types and body areas and to:
lay coat
remove and prevent knots and mats
remove debris
volumize coat
washing for coat and skins conditions, to remove stains, to control parasites
protection to reduce tangling and exposure to debris or dirt by:
banding
snooding
wrapping.
Environmental and biosecurity hazards may include:
allergies or skin conditions associated with the use of shampoos and other products
burns from the use of chemicals or hot clipper blades
electrical and fire risk from equipment
pollutants and biohazards resulting from chemicals, water and dog waste
transmission of disease between dogs and/or humans via:
biting or scratching
presence of contagious health conditions
recycling of washing water
tools and equipment.

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.
Overview of assessment

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. Assessors should ensure that candidates can:
assess health and condition of animal's coat and evaluate breed characteristics to select grooming, styling, dying and decoration techniques that do not compromise the health and welfare of the dog
plan creative styling themes
follow workplace instructions to apply industry recognised grooming and styling techniques to colour, clip, decorate and style dogs for creative themes
handle dogs in a safe and humane manner
select, use and maintain grooming and styling equipment and supplies in accordance with organisational standards and manufacturers' specifications
communicate effectively with clients regarding techniques to maintain styling between sessions
maintain records and follow-up with clients as required.
The skills and knowledge required to provide creative styling on dogs must be transferable to a range of work environments and contexts and include the ability to deal with unplanned events.
Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment of this Unit is to be practical in nature and will be most appropriately assessed in companion animal organisations that offer creative dog styling services or competition or in a situation that reproduces normal work conditions.
There must be access to a range of dogs and coat types as well as relevant information, equipment and/or resources to enable one to demonstrate competence.
Method of assessment
To ensure consistency of performance, competency should be demonstrated, to industry defined standards, on more than two occasion covering a range of creative styling applications. Assessment must take place over a period of time in order to cover a variety of circumstances, cases and responsibilities, and over a number of assessment activities.
The assessment strategies must include practical skills assessment. Suggested strategies for 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 that reproduce normal work conditions
third-party evidence
portfolio records that provide evidence of practical skills
This Unit may be assessed in a holistic way with other Units of Competency relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role.
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).