Question

Ruff: Buddy, I understand you are upset that I took your bone. I should have checked with
you first. But please don’t point your paw at me.
Buddy: I’ll point my paw at you if I want to point my paw at you!
Ruff: I apologize and I know we can work this out. We have been friends for too long.
Buddy: (points both paws) I have put up with you for way too long. You always do stuff like
this! Like last week...
Ruff does an excellent job of using which steps of Effective Conflict Management?
a.
focus on the problem
b.
keeping his emotions in check
c.
looking for information
d.
both a and b

Answer 1

d

Ruff acknowledges the specific problem, apologizes and offers to work it out (focus on the problem), and stays calm rather than escalating (keeping his emotions in check). He does not ask for or gather additional information, so (c) doesn’t apply.