Nearly nine-in-ten parents leave their children at home with their dogs unsupervised – but are they dicing with doggy disaster?

New figures from Dogs Trust UK show many parents are not worried about the dangers of leaving children and dogs together – even though most bites are caused by a dog known to the child.

On Newstalk Breakfast this morning, we spoke to dog behaviour expert Nanci Creedon about the best ways to keep your children and your pet safe in the home.

She said it is essential to teach your dog to show children the same respect they show adults – set out some steps all dog owners should take to keep children safe.

“When your dog and your child are together, make sure any interactions your dog is having are somewhat enjoyable,” she said.

“So, try to avoid any telling the dog off or any getting cross with the dog because the kids are present – because the dog needs to feel, when the kids are there, life is good, I’m not in trouble.”

Portrait of a dog wearing a scarf. Image: Stephen Flint / Alamy

Ms Creedon said it is important to involve children in dog training from as young an age as possible.

“The dog needs to learn that if I listen to Tommy, then I get the biscuit,” she said.

“That’s a really good way to build their bond and help the dogs understand that I listen to what the kids tell me as much as I listen to the grownups.”

Retriever cross Obi stays cool at the Dogs Trust in Finglas, Dublin. Picture by: Fran Veale

The dog behaviourist said parents are often quick to tell her their dog is “very good” or “behaves very well around the children normally” – but she warned this misses an important point about the way the dog thinks.

“What the dog will do is, they will learn information circumstantially,” she said.

“So, what often happens is, dogs will learn that when Mum or Dad are in the room, I get in trouble so don’t pick up the kid’s toy.

“However, Mum and Dad leave the room and Doggy thinks, ‘OK now I can go and get that unicorn I have had my eye on for the last two hours.’

“That’s when kids can upset and things like that.”

Australian Shepherd on the lawn with a baby. Image: WILDLIFE GmbH / Alamy

She said it is also important for parents to understand what they are teaching – and understand their dog.

“Supervising a dog and children together doesn’t just mean being present, it means knowing what you are supervising,” she said.

“It means knowing what’s appropriate behaviours; it means understanding how to read when your dog is becoming uncomfortable and it means interrupting in the right way so that things stay safe.

“Often what will happen is, dogs will get in trouble for maybe growling at the child or children will be allowed corner a dog or climb on top of them and parents feel like, 'Well I am supervising so it's OK'.

“It’s not as simple as that – you need to know what you are supervising to keep everyone safe.”

You can catch Ms Creedon on The Dog Academy when it returns to Channel 4 next week.

You can listen back here: