According to a new study, anxious people are at a greater risk of being bitten by dogs.
Do you find that you tend to be anxious frequently? If so, then it's best to stay away from strange dogs until you've managed to calm down - at least, that's according to a new study. The study, which has been published in the Journal of Epidemiology and Health, examined dog bites and their occurrence. It found that anxious people may be more likely to be bitten by dogs.
According to the study, which examined data from 694 people, about a quarter of the participants had been bitten by a dog during their lives. However, it's more common for someone to be bitten by a dog they'd never met before, not a family pet.
On top of that, males were 1.81 times more likely to be bitten than females. Researchers hypothesized that personality could play a role in the likeliness to be bitten, and found that people who reported being less emotionally stable were also bitten more frequently.
We all know that dogs are masters of reading our emotions and body language, so it makes sense that anxious people might put dogs on edge, too. Dogs usually bite when they're feeling defensive or threatened, and some dogs display food aggression where they may react if approached while eating.
Want to stay safe from dog bites? Your best bet is to familiarize yourself with dog body language and canine behavior. Don't approach a dog that you don't know, especially while he's eating or in a way where you could potentially corner him. And if you're feeling anxious or unsettled? Try to calm down a bit before you start playing with dogs.
Have you ever been bitten by a dog? What happened? Tell us in the comments below.
WATCH NOW: 8 Most Stubborn Dog Breeds
