Pavlov's Dog. The animal has become conditioned to respond in a certain way when the condition is met, which is the very appearance of the master. The dog responds in a way that it associates with a favorable response from the master, and possibly other people. Smile, then the master and other people will pet me, feed me, take me for a walk, pay attention to me, or not abuse me. The ears down in a submissive gesture indicates possibly the dog is reacting to the condition in a way it associates with not being abused.