Every Jinchuuriki we have seen up to now has shown some level of control over their bijuu. They all have been able to access their power, in a way.
Naruto is probably the first Kyuubi Jinchuuriki to gain such a high level of mastery of control, but that doesn't mean that he was the first to control it to some extent. :shrug:
Plus, the sensing ability might have been something like an Uzumaki KG, not related to the fox. Naruto might have realized he had the ability only after he got ahold of the foxs's chakra.
Meh, I'm only speculating here.