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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED UNIT STANDARD THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Maintain training standards of a trained service dog 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
243192  Maintain training standards of a trained service dog 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Security 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-  
FIELD SUBFIELD
Field 08 - Law, Military Science and Security Safety in Society 
ABET BAND UNIT STANDARD TYPE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
Undefined  Regular  Level 4  NQF Level 04  7 
REGISTRATION STATUS REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE SAQA DECISION NUMBER
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 		 2018-07-01  2023-06-30  SAQA 06120/18 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2026-06-30   2029-06-30  

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.  

This unit standard does not replace any other unit standard and is not replaced by any other unit standard. 

PURPOSE OF THE UNIT STANDARD 
This unit standard is for persons in the field of service dog handling who are required to assess service dogs in order to ascertain the competency and ability of the service dog. This unit standard will also enable the learner to assess the service dog handler's ability to control the service dog. In this unit standard the learner and service dog team are assessed against criteria; in order to certify that the service dog and handler are capable of performing detailed functions in a specific discipline. Learners will understand that a service dog is not a mechanical tool and will not perform specific tasks in most circumstances in exactly the same manner. This unit standard will ensure that learners have the competencies to take into account physical, emotional and environmental factors and service dog handler's ability to control the service dog when assessing service dogs.

A person credited with this unit standard will be able to:
  • Plan and prepare for continuous training sessions.
  • Apply conditioning techniques to elicit a desired response.
  • Evaluate progress of the service dog to maintain training standards. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
  • Communication NQF Level 4.
  • 243188: "Care for a service dog", Level 3, 15 Credits.
  • Any one of the following:
    > 120469: "Handle a sheep dog in the investigation of stock theft", Level 5, 15 Credits.
    > 120461: "Handle a trained sniffer dog to assist in the detection of substances", Level 4, 15 Credits.
    > 120456: "Utilize a tracker dog to follow a human scent trail", Level 4, 10 Credits.
    > 120468: "Utilize a search and rescue dog in structured scenarios to locate missing persons and evidence", Level 5, 15 Credits.
    > 120463: "Handle a patrol dog to assist in searching for and the apprehension of a suspect", Level 4, 15 Credits.
    > 243190: "Handle a trained service dog for protection", Level 3, 8 Credits. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    A service dog refers to a service dog that has been trained to display conditioned behaviour in a specific discipline. 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Plan and prepare for continuous training sessions. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Service dog training equipment is selected according to its intended purpose. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    A suitable training environment is selected while taking into account influencing factors. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The service dog is psychologically and physically assessed in order to determine readiness for the training session. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION NOTES 
    Psychologically refers to have the service dog relaxed and physically refers to the service dog being allowed to relieve itself. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Handling equipment is matched with given tasks to be performed by the service dog. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Handling equipment refers to equipment which the service dog was trained with for a specific task. Tasks refer to specific condition (learned) behaviour.
     

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Apply service dog-handling techniques to elicit a desired response. 
    OUTCOME RANGE 
    Desired response may include but is not limited to the service dog's behavioural reaction to verbal and or non-verbal commands to perform a specific task such as stay, recall, stand, sit, heel. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Physical position is selected, in relation to the position of the service dog, in order to commence with task at hand. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Physical actions and or commands are given to a service dog to elicit the desired response. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Actions also refer to physical signals.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Principles of reinforcement are applied to motivate the service dog to make an association between the command and the desired response. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION NOTES 
    Negative reinforcement does not refer to any physical abuse. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Principles of reinforcement may refer to positive and negative reinforcement. Positive reinforcement refers to verbal and or physical praise, toy reward or presenting a titbit. Negative reinforcement refers to change of voice tone, withholding reward body language or ignoring the service dog completely depending on the service dog's character.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Positive reinforcements are selected as service dog progresses to increase the pace of the conditioning process. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    The need to repeat training sessions is considered to promote the strengthening of the desired response. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION NOTES 
    Repetitions of techniques must be stopped before the service dog shows disinterest or fatigue. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Repeat training sessions must include rest and play sessions in between.
     

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Evaluate service dog's performance to maintain training standards. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Continuous training exercises are planned in accordance with assessment guidelines. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    Continuous training exercises are performed in accordance with assessment tasks. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Service dog behaviour is interpreted in order to make an assessment finding. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Deviations from training standards are corrected in order to conform to these standards. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    The term training standards refer to organisational specific training standards. Deviations refer to the service dogs' deviation in terms of its performance measured against set criteria.
     


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
  • An individual wishing to be assessed (including through RPL) against this Unit Standard may apply to an assessment agency; assessor or provider institution accredited by the relevant ETQA, or an ETQA that has a Memorandum of Understanding with the relevant ETQA.
  • Anyone assessing a learner against this Unit Standard must be registered as an assessor with the relevant ETQA or with an ETQA that has a Memorandum of Understanding with the relevant ETQA.
  • Any institution offering learning that will enable achievement of this Unit Standard or assessing this Unit Standard must be accredited as a provider with the relevant ETQA or with an ETQA that has a Memorandum of Understanding with the relevant ETQA.
  • Moderation of assessment will be conducted by the relevant ETQA at its discretion. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
  • Planning and preparation of training session.
  • Service dog training equipment.
  • Factors that may influence the selection of a training environment.
  • Physiologically and physically needs of service dogs.
  • Conditioning techniques.
  • Service dog's behavioural reaction to verbal/non-verbal commands.
  • Physical actions.
  • Verbal command and the desired response.
  • Principles of reinforcement.
  • Positive reinforcement.
  • Negative reinforcement.
  • Repetitions of techniques.
  • Evaluate service dog performance.
  • Conditioning exercises.
  • Deviations from training standards.
  • Assessment principles.
  • Animal Protection Act No 71 of 1962 section 2.1(a), (c), (d), (f), (i), (m), (n), (q) and (r).
  • Develop service dog training programs. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Work effectively with others as a member of a team, group organization, community when assessing the service dog's abilities. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Organize and manage oneself and one's activities responsibly and effectively when planning assessments. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Collect, analyse, organize and critically evaluate information about the ability of a service dog. 

    UNIT STANDARD ASSESSOR CRITERIA 
    N/A 

    REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this unit standard was Reregistered in 2012; 2015. 

    UNIT STANDARD NOTES 
    This unit standard does not replace any unit standards, or qualifications that refer to conducting outcomes based assessment - rather an addition when assessors are required to also assess a service dog's ability. 

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Core  57938   Further Education and Training Certificate: Dog Handling  Level 4  NQF Level 04  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  SAS SETA 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
    This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.
     
    1. Alpha K9 Solutions Pty Ltd 
    2. ATLEGANG CONSULTING CC 
    3. Combined Private Investigations Pty Ltd 
    4. GENESIS K9 GROUP (PTY) LTD 
    5. K9 REVELATION SERVICES 


    All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.