If this was YOU on Wednesday, then I’m really sorry.

[flowergirl24]

Two days ago I was walking in a seaside town in Devon, with two dogs and two children. After a stressful time at work, we wanted to have a few days off. Our break turned pretty hellish with children not sleeping at all and lots going wrong. On this last day, my Labrador tried to attack another dog, knocked over my 2 year old child while doing it and I lost it. I smacked him and shouted at him. It was kind of the last straw. Two women passing by stopped and had a go at me, saying I should never treat an animal like that. My husband told them to back off. He later said that he saw the one crying on the other’s shoulder (they looked like grown up mother and daughter) so they were clearly very upset by the incident. If this was YOU, or you know who this was, then I want to say sorry. I’m ashamed at my behaviour. Hoping to get some help for me to deal with my anger and I’ve already booked some specialist dog training to help with that situation.

Can't say I agree with the hitting of the dog but I do understand people can only take so much and snap. It sounds like you're genuinely sorry and regret your actions anyway so don't be too hard on yourself.

@cosmo30

Can't say I agree with the hitting of the dog but I do understand people can only take so much and snap. It sounds like you're genuinely sorry and regret your actions anyway so don't be too hard on yourself.

Funny how these people who “snap” only ever kick down, isn’t it? They never take it out on someone bigger and stronger than them. 🙄

There are 66.65 million people in the UK

You might want to post this in a local Facebook group to increase your chances of them actually reading it...

Ugh at you both, you smacking the dog and him saying that to the woman who rightly reprimanded you.

arietty lay off she (op) knows She fucked up and has got things in place to manager this. What is berating her going to do?

Were you on holiday in Devon OP or Do you live here, feel free to PM if you need details of local trainers & if you’re local I can recommend enclosed spaces for walks too

All the best to you. I hope you feel better soon.

Oh god don't post this here OP, you'll just get a pasting and feel worse!

I honestly think everyone snaps sometimes, especially on no sleep. Most of us have probably snapped at our kids, pets or partners at least once during lockdown.

I would leave this thread and stop beating yourself up!!

If this was YOU, or you know who this was, then I want to say sorry. I’m ashamed at my behaviour. Hoping to get some help for me to deal with my anger and I’ve already booked some specialist dog training to help with that situation.

The OP is quite clear she’s fucked up. She’s not coped with this particularly well. I’m not sure what “ugh” or general shaming is going to do to improve the situation for her, the dog or the witnesses?
She’s made a sensible plan to get help with her anger and her training issues.

Get lost @Boomclaps

Treating violence against animals like it’s just a small faux pas isn’t acceptable.

We all do things that we'd like to change later. Learn and move on. Don't be too hard on yourself

I'm not sure what you're hoping for from this thread OP. You're going to get a kicking on here and you don't seem to be in a very good place right now. Maybe step away from this thread sooner rather than later and focus on making positive changes in your life rather than invite a flaming on MN

You and your husband are well suited.

I dont know why you're posting on here trying to clear your conscience, you would be far better on a local group or in the paper, but, of course, you dont care about those brave women, you just want a bunch of "you ok hun" messages and people telling you it's ok to hit an animal because you lost control. Is your poor kid going to be at the receiving end next time?

Sorry I thought you meant you hit your child!
Don't beat yourself up about it. You sound really sorry.

Obviously you know what you did was wrong and you're doing something about it. But it's a brave post - broken sleep and lack of sleep can send anyone over the edge. Hope you and the family are all feeling better soon OP.

Well done for getting some help, I would maybe consider asking MN to delete your thread as you may get a very hard time and it may not be helpful.

If one of my dogs tried to attack another dog I'd probably smack him too in order to get it to stop. It's an extreme situation (which I hope never to be in) but I imagine it requires a harsher response.

I regularly slap my dog's rump hard enough to hurt my hand because the idiot seems to enjoy it. At least, he keeps turning back round and pushing his arse against my knees. They're not exactly delicate things. I doubt OPs dog is traumatised.

I don't think any court in the land would prosecute OP for animal cruelty. It wasn't any of the women's business.

@ArriettyJones

Your husband had a go at them for intervening in defence of an animal?

Your DH is as much of a dick as you are.

Brave women.

Cheer up, OP, at least you are giving one of MN's more infamous posters the chance to really enjoy digging at you :)

Oh for goodness sake, she knows she did wrong and that her husband did. I absolutely do NOT condone harming animals and agree the two ladies were right, I would have said something too but wouldn't have cried, would have argued right back! The husband was being loyal, maybe scared of a pasting...
I think you're brave OP in admitting this: you're right to seek help. Your dog doesn't deserve this snd next time, you might smack your child. Your dog is just always trying to guard you because he's devoted but he needs to learn when it's appropriate. You're already probably pack leader (or your husband), learn how to channel that.
Nb look up Pet Corrector, it's an aerosol which emits a noise that dogs don't like, it's not at all harmful.

Yes it was me and I completely forgive you

Can’t believe the hypocrisy on this site sometimes. All the threads I see about children getting smacked where 99% of people think it’s fine, or the ones where people says it’s normal to lose it and shout at your children. Smack and yell at a dog however...

If my dog had attacked another animal and knocked over a baby he’d have had my size 5’s up his arse

You poor thing. This is not the place to post this. You’re making steps to fix the problems. Move forward. Hope you’re feeling better.

I’d smack my lab if she attacked another dog too. It’s not out of order.

OP I’m not going to berate you. I’ve been in a situation this year where I was berated by a stranger and I know how humiliating it is. It led to me first of all feeling very suicidal as I have terrible self esteem anyway. But it also allowed me to have a really good look at myself and how I reacted to very stressful situations. It was actually very good for me and has probably made me s better person. The only downside is a don’t trust people easily now and feel I am constantly under scrutiny from strangers, almost paranoid.

Ignore the keyboard warriors OP. I hope you’re ok. My dog has had some behavioural issues and I smacked her once to get her off a french bulldog she was attacking. It was breaking point for me too. I got specialist help after that.

The woman crying needs to get a grip ffs. Be kind to yourself (the dog has already forgiven you).

No. It was me. I forgive you too.