Depends on the chinchilla and how much attention they get from you on a regular/daily basis.
Chinchillas are very intelligent and when worked with consistently and often (daily). They can usually learn tricks you teach them, as well as the tricks it teaches itself to get your attention.
One of our members on her allows her chins to have playtime outside their cage for a set amount of time each day ... at the end of that time, they will hear a timer go off and will return to each of their respective cages, knowing there will be a treat waiting there for them.
On U Tube, there is a chin that will play "Fetch" with a mini flying saucer for his human parent.
I have videos of a couple of my chins doing back flips over their huts, when I ask them to do so and sometimes just to get my attention.
If you call your chin by name each time you enter and leave the room, just to say "Hi" or "Bye" to it and call it by name each time you do something for it or with it, I have found, they usually learn to respond to the name I have given each of them. It may take a little while and some patients, but it usually works ... you just have to stick to it.
I have over 100 chinchillas ... many will run to the door of their cage every time they hear my voice or hear me inter the room ... while others, only do so
when called by name or when they want my attention or want something from me.
The more time you spend with your little one, the more you will find out they will do for you and/or do just to get your attention.
Missy will lay on her back on top of her hut and 'play dead' ... if I ignore her, she will hang her head over the side of the cage and squeal.
Pee-tunia will spray me if my husband gives me a kiss in front of her. (According to her ... Bill is hers ... not mine.)
Dusty and Chubby do back-flips for me.
Precious will spray my husband if he does not speak to her every time he walks in the room.
Fuss-budget will demand to be watered and fed first, or he will fuss at me the whole time I am feeding and watering the other chins.
Patients will jump up on the cage door, rattling it as hard as possible to remind me it is past time for play time.
Jo-Jo stands on her hind feet and dances for me.
It goes on and on ... each doing their own little thing to get attention and/or to please me.
Chinchillas dearly love to be the center of attention
and want to please you.
They will give back to you, many times over, the pleasure/attention/love you give them. Just follow one of the golden rules: treat them as you would want to be treated.
Jo Ann
