A regulator is provided. In one embodiment, the regulator operates as follows. During steady-state conditions, the switching frequency is maintained substantially constant. During start-up and/or in response to an over-current event, the reference voltage is attenuated. For example, in one embodiment, during a soft-start, the reference voltage ramps upward. During the soft-start, the switching frequency is attenuated in proportion to the attenuation of the reference voltage. The switching frequency is attenuated by skipping a number of pulses that is proportional to the reference voltage attenuation, or through another method. In another embodiment, a dynamic over-current protection scheme is employed.