Canine Behavioral Type Index -CBTI

edited January 2012 in Behavior & Training
I came across this article that, through research, classifies dogs into 12 different personality types, similar to the Meyer's-Briggs for humans. The types are:
Commando, Defender, Deputy
Director, Sentry, Diplomat
Rebel, Adventurer, Investigator
Aristocrat, Dreamer, Companion

http://espace.library.uq.edu.au/eserv.php?pid=UQ:8522&dsID=CBTIminnesota.pdf
It breaks down dogs’ personalities into 3 dimensions: Environmental, Social, and Motivational

Environmental dimension affects the way the dog sees the world, and they can be either ‘Organized’ or ‘Spontaneous:
Organized dogs seek an orderly, controlled environment and are team focused. They see the ‘big picture’, like to impose order on their environment, and are easily trained. Herding dogs are a good example of this type.
Spontaneous dogs are more self-focused and only interested in a particular part of their environment at any time. These dogs get into ‘the zone’ when they find something that interests them, ignoring everything else (like you calling their name). They are much less rule bound and tolerate change better than the ‘Organized’ types. A terrier deeply engrossed in chasing down a prey item is a good example.

Social dimension refers to their position in the pack and willingness to comply with social rules. The types are Alpha (confidant & controlling) Beta (socially mobile & challenging of the order) and Gamma (born followers, highly rule bound).

Motivational dimension refers to the ‘intensity’ of the dog. Dogs can be either High or Medium. High level dogs amplify the above 2 characteristics while Medium level dogs tend to tone them down.

There is a free quiz you can take online to find out which of the 12 types your dog is. http://www.petconnectgame.com/petconnect/game/intro.php
Once you find out your results you can get a 15 page print out with a detailed description of that personality and how to deal with them (not free, unfortunately).

I'd be curious to see where a lot of the NK's fall in. I wouldn’t be surprised if many of them fell into the 'Spontaneous' dimension.
As for my dog, Remmington, I believe he is a Sentry (OBM – Organized, Beta, Medium energy level).

Comments

  • I took the test and this is what I got for Bea. Seems pretty accurate...

    Your dog is a Spontaneous, Beta and High Activity type which we call the Adventurer. The Adventurer regularly challenges the social order, routine and environmental orderliness. It constantly searches for new social and environmental standards. It is highly competitive with plenty of energy and a playful spirit but not great at group activities.
  • edited January 2012
    This was fun, even if I didn't really trust it much as a quiz (the alpha stuff of course annoyed me).

    I got this for Toby (Shiba), which does seem to suit him: SAM - Aristocrat

    Your dog is a Spontaneous, Alpha and Medium Activity type which we call the Aristocrat. The Aristocrat's composure causes people to feel privileged to be in its company. It has an air of greatness with high chin carriage and sometimes looking down its nose at others. The Aristocrat enjoys a highly ordered social system and needs strong leadership. It attends mainly to what interests it and does not work well in a group.

    This seems very like Toby. He has a noble air to him, and he certainly thinks the world exists to serve him.

    I got this for Bel (Shiba), which doesn't really suit her well at all: Your Canine Behavior Type Index is

    SBH - Adventurer

    Your dog is a Spontaneous, Beta and High Activity type which we call the Adventurer. The Adventurer regularly challenges the social order, routine and environmental orderliness. It constantly searches for new social and environmental standards. It is highly competitive with plenty of energy and a playful spirit but not great at group activities.

    (I tend to think of Bel more as the tightly wound, but charismatic terrorist type!)

    And Oskar (American Akita): OGM - Diplomat

    Your dog is an Organised, Gamma and Medium Activity type which we call the Diplomat. The Diplomat is a task focused, submissive character employing passive, medium energy techniques. It strives to keep order in a small but meaningful area and do the leader's bidding in a passive, sometimes underhanded manner. The combination of Submissive (Gamma or G) and Medium (M) energy factors make the Diplomat a soft, loving, easy care character.

    This one seemed more like him.
  • What's interesting is I think some dogs, over time, may change their personality a tad, due to change in energy level.

    Retrospectively, I definitely think my husbands Chow of 14 years, Spud, at a young age was a Rebel (SAH - Spontaneous, Alpha, High energy).

    The Rebel is a High (H) energy, full blooded dog with presence and attitude. Its focus is narrow, strong, and often not on its owner. Aimless, free activity suits the Rebel. It loves to go jogging, have a wander and sniff about.

    He was left intact all his life, and as a youngster, got out of the yard a lot, loved to tease other dogs that were on leash, and break fences. Great with people and fantastic with children, due to early discipline, but was definitely not walked enough.

    By the time I met my husband, Spud slowed down in his old age, and was now more of an Aristocrat (SAM). He still greeted people with that reserved air of greatness... unless of course it was me. The moment he noticed I was there, all dignity would go flying out the window and he'd come bouncing up to me like a goofy puppy (my father-in-law and I were his 2 most favorite people).

    I miss that old guy.
  • I did it for Ahi, she got "Rebel". I think that's accurate. LOL
  • I got this for Sevuk:

    Investigator:
    Your dog is an Spontaneous, Gamma and High Activity type which we call the Investigator. The Investigator is a loveable, submissive, funny, even silly character that is happiest when obeying its leader or involved in freeform activity. The Investigator makes a great pet for active people. They are High (H) energy dogs that need exercise and love regular walks.

    It seems pretty right except for the submissive and "obeying its leader" parts. Sevuk really doesn't care what I'm doing. If he thinks there is something more interesting to do, he'll go do that instead of follow me. And even though I hate using the word submissive, there is no way that I would use that to describe Sevuk. He has this noble air about him that many people have noticed and told me as well. He's just a very stable tempered, athletic 9 year old :)
  • Hahahaha!
    Conker:
    Your dog is a Spontaneous, Alpha and High Activity type which we call the Rebel. The Rebel is a High (H) energy, full blooded dog with presence and attitude. Its focus is narrow, strong, and often not on its owner. Aimless, free activity suits the Rebel. It loves to go jogging, have a wander and sniff about.

    I love this one.
    Juneau:
    Your dog is an Organised, Gamma and High Activity type which we call the Deputy. The Deputy is a submissive, mouldable, balanced character. It happily does the leader's bidding, is easily led and controlled but prefers an orderly environment. The Deputy conforms to its leader's wishes most readily. Deputies are easy to train, willing to conform socially and team spirited. They are everybody's friend.

    Sasha:
    Your dog is an Organised, Gamma and Medium Activity type which we call the Diplomat. The Diplomat is a task focused, submissive character employing passive, medium energy techniques. It strives to keep order in a small but meaningful area and do the leader's bidding in a passive, sometimes underhanded manner. The combination of Submissive (Gamma or G) and Medium (M) energy factors make the Diplomat a soft, loving, easy care character.
  • Sukoshi (OGM)- Is a Diplomat. (Guess that fits w/ her Zen dog impersonation. Though she does have a stubborn streak.)

    Hoshi (SBM)- Is a Dreamer. Socially and mentally disorganized. Likes free form activities.
  • Bowdu is a Rebel.
    Bowpi is a Diplomat.

    It fits!
  • Socially and mentally disorganized? Hmmm...Bel should have got that one! It was hard to answer questions about her, though, because she's like little Miss Multiple Personality Disorder, meaning some days she's one way, others another way, and you never can tell which personality will show up! (we even have names for her different personalities, but that's a whole 'nother story!) *lol*
  • Kuma was this: Your dog is an Organized, Alpha and High Activity type which we call the Defender. The Defender's social position is ambiguous due its Beta (B) nature and it may appear to be a leader or a follower at various times. Defenders are flexible about social structure but their Organised (O) factor means that environmental order and clear rules are preferred. In the 'original wolf pack' Defenders could easily fill any positions vacated due to illness or accident.


    And here is Sachi's: Your dog is an Organised, Gamma and High Activity type which we call the Deputy. The Deputy is a submissive, mouldable, balanced character. It happily does the leader's bidding, is easily led and controlled but prefers an orderly environment. The Deputy conforms to its leader's wishes most readily. Deputies are easy to train, willing to conform socially and team spirited. They are everybody's friend.
  • edited January 2012
    INU - Investigator

    Penny- companion

    Both spontaneous
  • I didn't like the choices on the card game one after a while. At one point during London's "test" I had to choose between "my dog likes to herd other animals" and "my dog ignores me when there are other animals around" - neither of which are particularly true, but I chose the herding option because he DOES like to "herd" the cats a bit. Overall, I thought the test was "cute". :)

    London - OAM (Director)
    Your dog is an Organised, Alpha and Medium Activity type which we call the Director. The Director enjoys an orderly environment, strong, clear leadership and 'owns' defined small territories e.g. the home, car, owner or couch. The Director's goal is to control, protect, defend and maintain order in its chosen territory/command post.

    ^ *For the most part, I think they're pretty good at pinning down a general personality. Seeing London's personality written down like that is kind of jarring, actually. You'd never guess that personality was coming off a Malamute. It sounds more like a guardian dog, to me - but it really fits him well.



    Russell - OGH (Deputy)
    Your dog is an Organised, Gamma and High Activity type which we call the Deputy. The Deputy is a submissive, mouldable, balanced character. It happily does the leader's bidding, is easily led and controlled but prefers an orderly environment. The Deputy conforms to its leader's wishes most readily. Deputies are easy to train, willing to conform socially and team spirited. They are everybody's friend.


    and I did one for Gretta, since she's taking with me again.
    Gretta - SBM (Dreamer)
    Your dog is a Spontaneous, Beta and Medium Activity type which we call the Dreamer. The Dreamer is disorganised, socially and mentally. It lacks the energy to assert an active social challenge but may challenge a very easy going owner or dog over some prized resource such as the couch or a bone, perhaps curling its lip or snarling occasionally. It enjoys freeform pastimes such as watching TV or sniffing about off lead most of all.
  • Bella came up as a Commando! LMAO... So true...

    Nola came up as a Companion. However, some of the answers for her might be a little skewed because of her illnesses.
  • edited January 2012
    I got this for Lynx:

    OBH - The Defender

    Your dog is an Organized, Beta and High Activity type which we call the Defender. The Defender's social position is ambiguous due its Beta (B) nature and it may appear to be a leader or a follower at various times. Defenders are flexible about social structure but their Organized (O) factor means that environmental order and clear rules are preferred. In the 'original wolf pack' Defenders could easily fill any positions vacated due to illness or accident.

    Actually, I think this stands true for Lynxiene. Especially the environmental order and clear rules.
  • @ShikokuSpirit - Another Defender, that's what Kuma got too. It would be interesting to see what you got for your 3 shikoku
  • I got Adventurer for Tomoe, but I am not sure about my answers to the questions. She is two different dogs inside the house as opposed to outside.
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