Design and evaluate training programmes for animals
Overview
Performance criteria
You must be able to:
work professionally and ethically and within the limits of your authority, expertise, training, competence and experience
carry out your work in accordance with the relevant environmental and health and safety legislation, risk assessment requirements, associated codes of practice and organisational policies
carry out your work in accordance with the relevant animal health and welfare and animal-related legislation, associated codes of practice and organisational policies
assess how the welfare needs of the animals you engage with may be provided
handle and interact with the animal in a manner that does not compromise animal welfare, avoids behaviour giving rise to welfare concern and maintains health and safety during the training
confirm the purpose and intended outcome of the training with all those involved in, or affected by your work
obtain and interpret information about the animal from relevant sources
assess the training needs of the animal and establish training objectives
design a training programme for the animal with realistic targets for a desired behaviour based upon the principles of learning and the intended outcomes of the training
consider the ability of the handler who will be maintaining the training when designing the training programme
evaluate environmental influences and select relevant training activities and methods to achieve the desired outcome
specify the resources necessary for the training activities
assess the potential welfare consequences on the animal when choosing the training method and resources, and rectify any issues
obtain feedback on the animal's health and behaviour as the training progresses
evaluate and record the outcome of the training against the training programme at regular intervals, including assessing the animal's health and behaviour, and take action to resolve situations where training activities, methods or resources are found to be inappropriate
modify the training programme as necessary to take into account the response of the animal to the training so far
maintain communication with colleagues and all those involved in, or affected by, your work
seek professional advice when necessary and refer cases on when required
confirm that records are maintained and stored as required by the relevant legislation and organisational policy
plan, record, evaluate and reflect upon your Continuing Professional Development (CPD) and work within the requirements of the relevant professional organisation
Knowledge and Understanding
You need to know and understand:
your professional responsibilities when designing and evaluating training programmes for animals and the limits of your authority, expertise, training, competence and experience
your responsibilities under the relevant animal health and welfare, and animal-related legislation and associated codes of practice, and the legal limitations of the Veterinary Surgeons Act
your responsibilities under the relevant environmental and health and safety legislation, associated codes of practice and organisational policies
the importance of obtaining insurance cover, including professional indemnity
how the welfare needs of the animals you engage with may be assessed and addressed
how to check that the animal’s welfare is maintained throughout and that your behaviour, and that of all those involved in your work, does not cause adverse reactions, fear or distress
the intended purpose of the training programme and how to identify the objectives of the training programme for the animal
how to obtain information about the animal and the factors that may affect the design of a training programme
how animals learn and the physical, psychological and environmental factors that affect learning
the normal behaviours, body language and communication methods of the animal
the importance of assessing if the animal is ready for training and how to select assessment methods that are safe, reliable and valid
the importance of considering the abilities and limitations of the person who will be maintaining the training
how to design a training programme for the animal with realistic training targets
the process of establishing measurable goals and objectives for the training of animals
how to select suitable training activities and resources for the training the animal concerned
how training will impact on animal welfare and how to assess and analyse whether it is in the best interests of the animal involved
the factors that may affect the progress and success of training
the principles and practical application of learning theory
the importance of monitoring and evaluating training progress and how to revise the training programme where necessary
how to recognise when training outcomes indicate that the animal may not be suited to the training
the importance of maintaining communication with those involved in, or affected by, your work and how this should be done
where to obtain professional advice and guidance and the role of professional bodies and associations
the records that need to be kept in relation to designing and evaluating training programmes for animals and the importance of completing these in accordance with the relevant legislation and organisational policy
your professional responsibilities and the importance of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) to maintain professional competence
Scope/range
life history
physical capabilities
age
health
diet
reproductive status
current level of training
temperament/characteristics
species, breed and parentage
medical history
motivational drivers and effects
environment – living, working, training/learning
legislation
personnel
training aids/equipment
handling aids/equipment
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Scope Performance
Scope Knowledge
Values
Behaviours
Skills
Glossary
Current animal welfare legislation:
- England and Wales, Animal Welfare Act
- Scotland, Animal Health and Welfare Act
- Northern Ireland, Welfare of Animals Act (Northern Ireland)
- Veterinary Surgeons Act