A Patient Is a Successful Insurance Salesman; However, Because of Market

A patient is a successful insurance salesman; however, because of market changes, his level of sales has dropped. His boss tells him he will consequently be receiving a $2,000 per year cut in his salary. When the patient arrives home from work, the family dog runs to greet him as he always does, barking and jumping up and down and begging for attention. The patient yells at the dog, Get away from me; I cant take your barking right now. The patients response reflects a defense mechanism because it was which of the following?

A) An intentional behavior performed to let the dog know his behavior was inappropriate
B) Automatic, protecting the patient from the anxiety related to his upcoming pay cut
C) Implemented to keep the patient from having to cope with his upcoming pay cut
D) Implemented so the patient could rationalize his upcoming pay cut