I little bit of background- We have an 8 year old re-homed African Grey. "Rosie" has been living with us for about 4 months. With time and patience, she bonded with me and doesn't bite anymore. She loves to be pet on the neck, and her training treat of choice is millet spray.
I decided to start with three tricks, so she would "learn how to learn" (according to some literature, once they understand they get praised and rewarded for tricks, they learn faster). "Turn around" she learned quickly and can do that on command. But now I'm stuck. I've been working on "Wave" (lifting her left leg high) and "shake hands" (lighting her right leg, placing it on the third knuckle on my index finger, lightly putting my top thumb over her leg and lightly shaking). She does both when I move my hand in fain to "step up." But after six weeks, 15 minutes a day, she will neither wave, nor initiate contact with the shake.
I know time and patience is the answer, and I will continue to try and be patience. Other than that, does anyone have any suggestions or reasons to help Rosie learn faster?
-Chris