Over 65 — parents spanked, though not often, and school did a couple of times. I learned to behave.

A few times but it never did any good. They found taking things away worked much better.  I never hit my children. I don’t hit my dogs either.

I notice you used the word "hit" instead of "spank".

My father spanked me on several occasions, but he never hit me.

I refer to spanking as with an open palm where as hitting is with a closed fist. Another thing, both my dad and I only spanked on the buttocks or the upper part of the back of the legs below the buttocks... nowhere else. 

Last time my father spanked me, I was 10 or 11 years old. 

I spanked our older 2 boys a few times, but not after age 8. I never had to spank my youngest son though. He minded quite well.

As for dogs... hmmm... I never thought about that but I would never hit or spank a dog either. However I did train our dog by using my pointer finger extended and tapping it lightly on the top of our dog's nose. She didn't like that, but it worked.

FWIW

It’s the same thing but on a different body part. It doesn’t really matter, it’s still hitting and hitting on the buttocks is demeaning.

They didn't just "spank" as in a swat on the bottom. I was hit hard, open handedly, enough to send me flying across the room. Not sure if that's the definition of spanking. I was hit until I reached 13  years old. I would NEVER hit, or spank, a child.

I agree (that hitting the butt is demeaning). Also, it was done in anger, and that teaches a child that hitting and losing one's temper is acceptable. It's also not ok to grip an arm hard enough to leave bruises, pull long hair, or to pinch. I believe in time out (with a kitchen timer for small children) or removal of privileges. Discipline does not have to mean causing physical pain and terrifying a child.

I agree. Hands on a child in anger or to cause pain of any kind, is abuse.

I agree that it is abuse also. There is no excuse for striking a child or causing physical pain.

No, then they learn to hit.