Trouble with Training the Trainer

So I mentioned a few days ago that Duncan is training me to train him. Today he developed a new technique, but unfortunately ran into a slight glitch.

I made an executive decision this morning to postpone our training, because – horror of horrors – we had run out of meatloaf for treats. Now don't panic; I spent the time thawing 4 pounds of ground kangaroo meat, and two large pans of meatloaf are in the oven right now. But still...

His lordship has been restless today. He misses either the training or the meatloaf; actually he misses both, I think. So he took matters into his own paws again. He led me into the living room, picked up a corner of his big mat in his teeth, and gave me a look that said quite clearly:

Will work for food

I picked up on my cue and asked him to Go to Mat. He threw himself happily down on the mat. And then it all fell apart...

All I had to offer as a reward was kibble. Duncan was not impressed. He reluctantly agreed to eat some, and reluctantly agreed to continue the session, but it was clear that his new motto will be:

Will work for food*

* NB: food ≠ kibble