Most definitely! I actually just shared this list with a friend of mine the other day, as she was amazed that my guys knew their names. Personally, I think their retention is a combination of the vowel sound, voice inflection, positive reinforcement, spaced repetition, and high levels of empathy.
Since you want to start by teaching them their names, I would insert their name before everything you say to them, using as many voice inflections as possible. The variety of inflections will ensure that they don't have a positive or negative connotation associated with the word. All 4 of mine responded readily to their names within a month of 'training'.
The response rates listed are only valid when it's just them and I, as other people in the room have a huge effect on their comfort levels, and consequently, their willingness to respond to commands.
Here's the breakdown:
4/4 Chins
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Name and various Nicknames -
100% Response
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'Wanna [Treat/Stick/Dust bath/Come out?]' -
100% Response - 'Wanna' is what does it. All else is irrelevant.
-
Cluck twice -
100% Response - This is the only 'no' sound that worked with all 4. They stop whatever they're doing, look at me, and stand at attention. It's hysterical... and incredibly helpful!
-
'Good Girl/Boy!' -
100% Response - 3/4 Stand up straight and look very proud of themselves. The other alternates between that and popcorning.
-
'Get down' and 'down' -
95% Response
-
'Get out' and 'out' -
95% Response
-
'Go Home' -
80% Response - If they don't fully go in, they'll run up to the door immediately and run away, which at least proves comprehension...and stubbornness!
-
'Belly check!' -
75% Response - 2/4 HATE their bellies touched!!! When I started announcing before touching, they stayed still more readily, begrudgingly.
3/4
-
'[Name] where ARE you?' -
95% Response - They either come out of hiding immediately, hit my vertical blinds to make a ton of noise, or wall surf so that I know where they're hiding. Responses vary by chin.
-
'Step up' -
90% Response
-
'I love you' -
80% Response - I get a single love nibble on my nail as a response;
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'Waaaait' -
80% Response - When balancing on my shoulder.
-
'[Name] No!' -
50% Response - Hence the need for the clucking sound.
2/4
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'You okay?' -
90% Response - One nibble for yes, Shake of the head and back-up for no. Only works for those who have been sick at some point.
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'Don't eat my [Nails/Hair/Carpet/Couch/Table/etc.]!' -
90% response - Only an issue with the girls.
-
'RunninRunninRunnin' -
90% Response - They run on the wheel at top speed. Of course, they need to be fully awake to be willing to play.
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'C'mere' -
80% Response - Only the two who were handfed.
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'Upstairs' and 'Downstairs' -
75% Response - Took 2+ years to get this one.
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'Raisin' -
100% response - The adults go completely nuts for 15 minutes when they hear the word. They recall the wrongs of their youth all too well.
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1/4
-
'You excited?!' -
100% Response - Popcorns once. I respond with this. She popcorns again. Sometimes I can drag it out for a few rounds.
-
'Find something else to do!' - 100% Response - Nixi's version of 'no'. Probably voice inflection driven.
-
'Ow' and 'Gentle' -
95% Response - Only one needs this. Sometimes I mimic the chinchilla 'ow' sound, as she goes into a grooming daze when she nibbles my knuckles.
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'Where's Nixi?' -
75% Response - Maia will run to or look at the area of the room that Nixi's in.
-
'Where's Buddha?' -
75% Response - Boji will run to or look at the are of the room that Buddha's in.
