Chin Intelligence - Amazed New Owner

[Chinwawa]

I am a new owner and I am delighted with my new White Mosaic Chin. She is about 14 weeks old and is very tame and affectionate. She wants me to take her out of the cage all the time and lets me hold her and play with her. She also loves for me to stroke her cheeks and in the spot where her neck and jaw meet. She tilts her head up and closes her eyes while I rub her. She is also very alert and curious.

Being new to Chins I was trying to describe her behavior and characteristics to my friends. I found myself describing her as a mixture of a rabbit, squirrel, mouse, rat with a fur coat who jumps. LOL

I wonder if experts here could discuss Chinchilla intelligence and awareness. I am having so much fun with her. I am wondering what I can expect in the future and what I should consider teaching her.

Thank you, Faye

 

[Gizmo24]

Chins are very intelligent. I've taught mine to "kiss" me everytime I say "give mommy a kiss" ...he'll come up to me and put his mouth against me. I love it. Plus I swear he knows his name too. They're awesome little animals.

 

[mishellyshel]

i believe they know there names........maybe cause i say it a million times a day! i also go up to their cages and say give me kisses.

i think they are much more intelligent that people think (not people here....we know!)
they do have a memory, which is interesting. it would be fun to hear some things people have taught their chins.

 

[shubbles]

Im teaching mine to eat a treat out of my mouth so that someday, like you guys said, he'll give me a kiss. I swear he knows the word NO too. If he's about to jump off the couch and i think its too high, i'll go Noooooo and he'll turn around and go to a lower part and jump off. Smart little guys.

 

[RockedByRequiem]

They say rats are on the same level intelligence-wise as dogs, and I see a lot of similarities between what rats can be trained to do and what chinchillas can be trained to do. I see it with mine at least. He responds to the common, obvious words, such as "dust bath", "treat", "come out and play", etc. He also very much knows and responds to his name. (I assumed this was the norm. I've only had two chins, and the other was a female that never took to me and didn't respond to anything, so I found her a new home.) To take it a step further even, I also call him "Rugrat" in addition to his real name Peewee, and he responds to that as well.

Also, he is very aware of what is off limits to him, and he usually does not even try to get into trouble. If he does get the itch to do something bad (which is almost always because he knows I'm distracted and not watching him that moment), I will say "no" or "hey" and he will immediately stop. He will also come to me if I call him. If I'm on my bed and I tap the bed and tell him to come, he'll hop right up. So there is no doubt they are more intelligent than people would think.

This is, of course, a chinchilla who has been with me for 6 1/2 years, by himself for all but about 6 months, and has all my attention and affection.

 

[Cuddlebug]

I have a chinchilla that popcorns on command and one that plays dead on command. My babies also give kisses when asked. Oh, and some of them will come when I tap on the shelf. They come right to the spot where I tapped and wait to be picked up.

 

[Chinwawa]

Wow, thank you all for your descriptions. I was getting the feeling that she was very rat-like. I look forward to a great relationship with my girl using positive reinforcement with treats, neck rubs and attention.

Now I have an idea what we can accomplish together. :thumbsup:

 

[Jazicat]

I'm amazed at how much Edgar has learned as well. It's hard to decribe to others because they are so darned sweet in how they do these smart things.

 

[Gizmo24]

I have a chinchilla that popcorns on command and one that plays dead on command. My babies also give kisses when asked. Oh, and some of them will come when I tap on the shelf. They come right to the spot where I tapped and wait to be picked up.

I'd love to see some videos!!

 

[Ziora]

I'm very new to chins, too but am amazed at their memories. I love watching how they explore and slowly expand their comfort zones. Once they discover a little nook or cranny, they never forget it and even when you block it off, they keep trying to get back to it. Their eyesight doesn't seem to be that great though, or else they go on "autopilot" once they learn their territory. If I leave Yumi's cage door closed by mistake and she tries to hop back in, she bonks against it.

I have been amazed when she is startled and jumps back up to her tube and I call to her, she will hop back down to me. I know they are all very individual in personality and some can more more sociable than others. I think that you are very lucky to have a cuddly and affectionate chinny.

 

[Chinwawa]

Hi Ziora, Yes I am very lucky that my girl is so affectionate. She is very focused on me. That is why I asked this question. I want to work with her while she is young and not take a chance of her losing interest. I want to cement a good gentle relationship with her and not stifle her being so outgoing.

)

 

[Cuddlebug]

Gizmo24, I have been trying to get videos. the problem is, they won't do any of it when a camera is pointed their way. They just look at me like they want to know if I am totally crazy.

 

[Jazicat]

Edgar has been with us for almost two months and he will sit on the scale for us to weigh him. He knows it's one of the few times he will get a treat and races to sit on the scale before my husband can zero it. I think it's really funny so I wait to be asked to help.

Edgar's been a pretty easy guy to get along with and I know we are lucky to have a little guy so interested in us. It will be fun to see what the next year brings us as he's still young and developing his personality.

 

[Gizmo24]

Gizmo24, I have been trying to get videos. the problem is, they won't do any of it when a camera is pointed their way. They just look at me like they want to know if I am totally crazy.

don't ya hate that! There has been a million times when I've wished I had the video camera out w/ gizzie.

 

[Gizmo24]

I have a chinchilla that popcorns on command and one that plays dead on command. My babies also give kisses when asked. Oh, and some of them will come when I tap on the shelf. They come right to the spot where I tapped and wait to be picked up.

how did you teach him to play dead on command? thats so funny.

 

[cindyv3737]

I'm teaching Shelly to give kisses. She is so cute! She runs up to me puts her little paws on my chin and gives me a kiss with her little nose. It melts my heart everytime.