fear of confrontation

I have always hated confrontation. I tremble for thirty minutes following even the most polite correction I can make to another if I am correct and that person is clearly in the wrong.

Take this morning, when I had to open my front door and politely ask the woman walking her dog along the sidewalk in front of my house, whose dog had clearly just finished doing its business in my hostas, to clean up after her dog. She said she didn't think he (for some reason I always think of dogs as males) did anything. I mentioned that the dog was kicking its legs after squatting, to which she responded that he always does that. Then, as always, I have to find some other defense to validate my asking this of her, so I produced my two young children and their love of playing in the dirt.

She went backwards in a gesture to look but didn't go all the way back to where her dog did its job.

It is not only this situation, albeit a common one which I must face often living on this street, but even with students, over email, etc. I am learning that I would not at all make a good boss because I do NOT like correcting people--although my constructive criticism skills have improved greatly with teaching. This particular event occurred one hour ago and my heart still races, my fingers still tremble and I need chocolate!!!

At least I am in touch with and am working on embracing all my character flaws, right? :)