Dog owners have been warned not to leave children under 10 years old alone with their animals following an attack on a newborn in western Sydney.
The seven-day-old baby was rushed to hospital after being bitten in the face in the early hours of Monday by the family dog, a Alaskan malamute, in Campbelltown.
The baby girl has undergone surgery for serious facial injuries and remains in hospital in a stable condition.
"There should be immediate supervision by a knowledgeable adult of all children under the age of 10," the Animal Behaviour Clinic's Dr Robert Holmes said.
"Because the dogs speak a different language to kids, in particular.
"You've really got to know your dog's upbringing - has it been socialised, particularly to toddlers."
Other experts said families with dogs who are expecting children should prepare before taking a child home.
"Ideally you start as soon as you know you're pregnant," Dr Kersti Seksel, from Sydney Animal Behaviour Service, said.
"You teach the dog some good manners so it can come and sit and learn to be calm on cue.
"We always recommend people carry around a doll as if they were carrying around a baby so the dog gets used to the fact you'll be carrying things around.
"We also like them to wheel the prams around so the dog is accustomed to having a child around before the child is brought into the house."
Campbelltown City Council is waiting for the police to finish their investigation before it decides whether to classify the dog as dangerous.
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