If the reward is positioned correctly, the dog's gaze lines up with the camera.
Click.
You have your photograph.
It sounds almost too simple.
But sometimes simple solutions work precisely because they match the way an animal naturally behaves.
The dog doesn't need to understand what you want the photograph to look like.
You simply need to make the correct direction interesting.
The Trick Becomes Even More Impressive With Two Dogs
Getting one dog to look at a camera can be difficult.
Getting two dogs to look at the camera at the same time is another level entirely.
Anyone who has photographed multiple pets knows how quickly things can go wrong.
One dog looks toward you.
The other looks toward the window.
You get them both looking at the camera.
Then one blinks.
You try again.
The first dog turns its head.
The second dog starts licking its nose.
You try again.
One suddenly decides to walk away.
It's almost as if dogs have a secret agreement never to cooperate when a camera is pointed at them.
That's what makes the dachshund photograph so funny.
Both dogs were apparently equally interested in the same tiny piece of food.
The slice of salami essentially became a shared focal point.
Instead of trying to make each dog pay attention separately, the owner created one common target.
And because the target was positioned right above the lens, both dogs appeared to be staring straight into the camera.
From a photographer's perspective, that is surprisingly clever.
Why Dogs Can Be So Motivated by Food
Not every dog is equally motivated by food.
Some dogs will do almost anything for a treat.
Others are more interested in toys.
Some are motivated by praise, affection, play or the opportunity to go outside.
The important thing is understanding what your individual dog values.
The American Kennel Club emphasizes that dogs are individuals and that different rewards can work better for different animals. Some dogs may prefer food, while others respond more strongly to toys, games or social interaction.
This is useful beyond photography.
If your dog ignores you when you're trying to teach a new behavior, it doesn't necessarily mean the dog is stubborn.
The reward may simply not be valuable enough in that particular situation.
A dog relaxing in the living room may happily respond to its normal kibble.
That same dog at a busy park may completely ignore kibble because there are dozens of new smells, sounds and sights competing for its attention.
A higher-value reward may suddenly make a difference.
That's why experienced trainers often think about rewards as part of a hierarchy.
Low-value rewards can work for easy behaviors in quiet environments.
Higher-value rewards can be saved for situations that are more challenging.
And apparently, for these two dachshunds, salami ranked very high on the list.
But There Is an Important Catch: Salami Isn't the Best Dog Treat
The photograph is funny, but dog owners shouldn't take it as a recommendation to regularly feed salami to their pets.
Salami is a processed meat product, and processed meats can contain high levels of fat and sodium, along with seasonings and other ingredients that aren't appropriate for dogs.
Veterinary guidance from PetMD warns that sausage-type processed meats can be high in fat and sodium, and that some products may contain ingredients such as garlic or onion that can be dangerous for dogs.
High-fat foods can also create problems for some dogs. Excess dietary fat may contribute to weight gain and, in certain circumstances, pancreatitis.
For these reasons, the funny photograph should be understood as a clever visual trick rather than a suggestion that salami is a healthy everyday snack for dogs.
If you want to recreate the idea at home, a much better option is to use a tiny piece of a dog-safe treat that your pet already tolerates well.
Plain cooked chicken or turkey, for example, can be used in small amounts as a reward, provided it is unseasoned and appropriate for the individual dog. Veterinary guidance also recommends keeping treats limited so they don't displace the dog's complete and balanced diet.
The goal is the position of the reward, not necessarily the salami itself.
The Reward Doesn't Have to Be Big
One of the most useful lessons from the story is that a reward doesn't need to be large to be effective.
In fact, training treats are often intentionally tiny.
The American Kennel Club recommends using very small pieces during training so dogs can receive multiple rewards without becoming overly full. For many dogs, a pea-sized piece or smaller can be enough.
That same principle works perfectly for photography.
You don't need to hold a giant piece of food above the phone.
A tiny treat can be enough to capture the dog's attention for a few seconds.
And those few seconds are all you need.
Get the dog into position.
Place the reward near the camera.
Wait for the eyes to line up.
Take the picture.
Then reward the dog.
The entire process can take only a moment.