What Your Dog’s CPTI Type Says About Them
Every dog has a unique personality. Whether they’re chasing squirrels or quietly observing the world, they’re communicating who they are. That’s why we created the CPTI—Canine Personality Type Indicator—to help you understand your pup on a deeper level.
In this article, we’ll explore what CPTI types really mean, how they work, and how you can use them to strengthen your bond with your dog.
What Is the CPTI?
The CPTI is a playful but insightful framework inspired by psychological typing systems. It uses four key dimensions:
- Sociality: Outgoing vs. Shy
- Exploration: Adventurous vs. Anchored
- Cooperation: Friendly vs. Reserved
- Emotionality: Reactive vs. Resilient
Based on your dog’s behavior, the CPTI assigns one of 16 personality types—like OAFR or SAIV—to describe their temperament and behavioral patterns.
Why Personality Typing for Dogs Works
Dogs may not fill out forms, but they show preferences in clear and consistent ways:
- Do they rush to greet new people?
- Are they hesitant in new environments?
- Do they bark when startled, or remain calm?
Recognizing these patterns allows us to assign a personality type that reflects your dog’s instincts, sensitivities, and strengths.
A Glimpse at the CPTI Types
🌟 OAFR: The Charismatic Explorer
OAFRs are outgoing, adventurous, friendly, and reactive. They thrive in dog parks, love surprises, and have boundless energy. If your pup is always first to sniff out a new trail, this might be them.
⛅️ SAIV: The Insightful Seeker
SAIVs are shy, anchored, independent, and resilient. They may seem reserved at first, but they’re fiercely loyal and calm under pressure. Ideal for quiet, stable homes.
🌿 OAFV: The Spirited Pathfinder
OAFVs are affectionate, fun-loving, and highly attuned to their environment. They love attention but can become overstimulated easily, so routine and reassurance go a long way.
How to Use Your Dog’s CPTI Type
1. Tailor Training
- Reactive types benefit from desensitization and low-stim environments
- Anchored types need encouragement and positive reinforcement to try new things
- Reserved types often excel in quiet, focused one-on-one sessions
2. Enrichment Activities
- Adventurous dogs love novel games, puzzle toys, and scent work
- Resilient types enjoy routines, structure, and learning new commands
- Friendly dogs thrive on social outings and supervised play
3. Reduce Stress
Understanding your dog’s stress triggers based on CPTI traits helps you avoid overwhelm and build trust in high-pressure environments.
It’s About Empathy
The CPTI gives you a personalized lens for loving and living with your dog. Like people, dogs have preferences, patterns, and emotional needs. CPTI is your shortcut to seeing the world through their eyes—and making their world feel more safe, predictable, and joyful.
📝 Take the CPTI quiz now or view your past result.
Pawsona is a personality platform for pets. Follow us on Instagram @pawsona.xyz for more tips, stories, and featured pups.