Page 7 | If this was YOU on Wednesday, then I’m really sorry.

flowergirl24 · 2020-07-17T11:58:28+00:00

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.

Original poster

flowergirl24 · 17/07/2020 17:13

Also, I do genuinely want to find these two women and apologise to them. I’m not on Facebook. It’s been weighing very heavily on my mind.

OP posts:

GlummyMcGlummerson · 17/07/2020 17:19

The other person crying over it was massively OTT

MitziK · 17/07/2020 17:30

it’s totally unfair on a small innocent dog

Have you ever seen a Labrador?

One thing they aren't, is small.

katy1213 · 17/07/2020 17:40

Not your finest hour, I agree - but the woman crying on her daughter's shoulder sounds a melodramatic idiot!

Bonnieonthelam · 17/07/2020 17:51

@labyrinthloafer

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.

People are not very forgiving here. But I think you’ve reached out and you regret your actions. That says a lot. Take it easy. A dog trainer is a great idea. The woman who was crying has other issues. Sheesh.

Good luck.

Bonnieonthelam · 17/07/2020 17:52

@flowergirl24

Also, I do genuinely want to find these two women and apologise to them. I’m not on Facebook. It’s been weighing very heavily on my mind.

I wouldn’t, what if they get your details and report you.

Bloops · 17/07/2020 17:54

I'm glad you're getting help OP. Please dont let it consume you. You've admitted the problem and getting help. You've done everything you can.

NataliaOsipova · 17/07/2020 18:24

Not your finest hour, I agree - but the woman crying on her daughter's shoulder sounds a melodramatic idiot!

@katy1213 has it perfectly. Write it off as a bad week and start afresh. Beating yourself up isn’t going to help anyone.

CatWhisperer86 · 17/07/2020 18:28

congratulating OP for beating her dog

Fucking hell some people on here do love to over embellish!

Riojasmoothy · 17/07/2020 18:36

Agree with some other posters. The crying women sound like hysterical idiots and your dog will get over it.
Forget it and move on.

wildone84 · 17/07/2020 18:49

Dogs can be exasperating at times. Please don't be too hard on yourself.

Russell19 · 17/07/2020 18:50

I really don't know why so many people are defending the OP. She originally said she smacked her dog, in her last post she said 'maybe 3 times'. I'm betting it was more than that and yes it is animal abuse and is disgusting behaviour. Woman watching was not overreacting to shout at you to stop or to cry at such disgusting behaviour. I'd be thinking if you do that in public what do you do at home? I'd have been reporting you to RSPCA straight away.

Hopefully your dog trainer will teach you that punishing aggression with aggression does not work. You should have trained your dog properly from the start.

Wineinthegarden · 17/07/2020 18:51

Please stop beating yourself up op. You know you did wrong but everyone has an awful day. No one died. And you won’t do it again so that’s a massive positive. Keep smiling.

wildone84 · 17/07/2020 19:01

@Russell19

I really don't know why so many people are defending the OP. She originally said she smacked her dog, in her last post she said 'maybe 3 times'. I'm betting it was more than that and yes it is animal abuse and is disgusting behaviour. Woman watching was not overreacting to shout at you to stop or to cry at such disgusting behaviour. I'd be thinking if you do that in public what do you do at home? I'd have been reporting you to RSPCA straight away.

Hopefully your dog trainer will teach you that punishing aggression with aggression does not work. You should have trained your dog properly from the start.

She says she isn't going to do it again and is taking steps to resolve any issues around dog training. What more do you want, blood?

wildone84 · 17/07/2020 19:02

It was an out of control dog who needed reining in. Ideally not with hitting, but there we go. It's done. OP is now taking steps to deal with it differently next time.

Mittens030869 · 17/07/2020 19:05

@wildone84

She says she isn't going to do it again and is taking steps to resolve any issues around dog training. What more do you want, blood?

Posters like this are determined to put the worst possible spin onto an OP's behaviour. They just love sticking the boot in and enjoy that feeling of self-righteous indignation.

ArriettyJones · 17/07/2020 19:07

@Russell19

I really don't know why so many people are defending the OP. She originally said she smacked her dog, in her last post she said 'maybe 3 times'. I'm betting it was more than that and yes it is animal abuse and is disgusting behaviour. Woman watching was not overreacting to shout at you to stop or to cry at such disgusting behaviour. I'd be thinking if you do that in public what do you do at home? I'd have been reporting you to RSPCA straight away.

Hopefully your dog trainer will teach you that punishing aggression with aggression does not work. You should have trained your dog properly from the start.

Mumsnet is full of anti-dog people. Eg it’s quite a popular MN belief that dogs should never be let off lead.

I’d far rather know the woman who cries when she sees a dog hit.

SquishyBones · 17/07/2020 19:09

“Oooo I saw a dog being smacked ... I need to cry ... boohoo ... please give me attention as I’m a snowflake ... boohoo” fucking drama queen.

Russell19 · 17/07/2020 19:11

No....i just don't like animal abuse 🤷‍♀️

Yeah she should have controlled the dog with a lead not letting it near other dogs. Also she isn't bothered about it attacking another dog, just about it knocking over her child. She hit her dog 3 times after the event, not during so can't use that as an excuse!

Russell19 · 17/07/2020 19:18

@ArriettyJones
"I’d far rather know the woman who cries when she sees a dog hit."

Me too!

MrMeSeeks · 17/07/2020 19:20

really don't know why so many people are defending the OP. She originally said she smacked her dog, in her last post she said 'maybe 3 times'. I'm betting it was more than that and yes it is animal abuse and is disgusting behaviour. Woman watching was not overreacting to shout at you to stop or to cry at such disgusting behaviour. I'd be thinking if you do that in public what do you do at home? I'd have been reporting you to RSPCA straight away.

Sorry but completely agree with this.
You should feel ashamed for this act. You hit it because you were angry and that is not ok.
Im betting this woman was upset because your/your husbands reaction were not pleasant towards them?
You do need some help. Hitting the dog out of anger is wrong and you need to learn how to control it.
Dog training is good, keep it up.
Maybe use this as a learning curve, never go back to this place.
You probably will not be able to apologise to these woman, but they will get over it.
I really really hope you manage to turn things around for your family.

SquishyBones · 17/07/2020 19:21

Oh give over! The woman had a bad day. The dog attacked another dog and knocked over her child in the process. I’m still waiting to hear what you “heartbroken” people would have done .... ? Well .. ?

SquishyBones · 17/07/2020 19:23

It’s always the same with “positive reinforcement only” people ... all well and good teaching tricks and simple shit but when it comes to serious issues they haven’t got a word of advice whatsoever.

wildone84 · 17/07/2020 19:24

@MrMeSeeks

really don't know why so many people are defending the OP. She originally said she smacked her dog, in her last post she said 'maybe 3 times'. I'm betting it was more than that and yes it is animal abuse and is disgusting behaviour. Woman watching was not overreacting to shout at you to stop or to cry at such disgusting behaviour. I'd be thinking if you do that in public what do you do at home? I'd have been reporting you to RSPCA straight away.

Sorry but completely agree with this.
You should feel ashamed for this act. You hit it because you were angry and that is not ok.
Im betting this woman was upset because your/your husbands reaction were not pleasant towards them?
You do need some help. Hitting the dog out of anger is wrong and you need to learn how to control it.
Dog training is good, keep it up.
Maybe use this as a learning curve, never go back to this place.
You probably will not be able to apologise to these woman, but they will get over it.
I really really hope you manage to turn things around for your family.

"Turn things around for her family?"

She hit her dog because it was out of control. Presumably this has happened on one occasion only when she lost her shit. She's taking steps to correct it.

From the way you talk about it, it sounds like social services just took her children.

Get some perspective.

JRUIN · 17/07/2020 19:26

I really shouted at him and probably smacked him three times on the bottom.

So you didn't just smack the dog you beat the poor thing. If I saw you behaving that like I would be thinking 'God if she can behave like that in public what is she like at home?!!! And yes I would get very upset, and no that doesn't make me a fucking snowflake