expression, godan verb (-ru)
if you try something, you may get hurt; nothing ventured, nothing gained (negative)
Proverb warning that taking action can lead to unexpected trouble, like a dog wandering out and getting hit with a stick. Often used to caution against unnecessary risks.
犬も歩けば棒に当たるというから、あまり首を突っ込まないほうがいい。
They say 'a dog that walks will get hit with a stick,' so you'd better not stick your nose in too much.
expression, godan verb (-ru)
good luck can come when you least expect it; fortune favors the bold (positive)
Less common interpretation of the same proverb, suggesting that by going out and doing things, you might stumble upon unexpected good fortune. The positive spin is rarer and context-dependent.
「犬も歩けば棒に当たる」は、悪い意味だけでなく、良い意味でも使われることがある。
'Inu mo arukeba bō ni ataru' is sometimes used not only in a negative sense but also in a positive one.