Grooming

• Dogs may lick the ears of other dogs in order to perform ordinary grooming. By licking ears, they are cleaning the other dog's ears to prevent such ear problems as ear mites and infections. This kind of ear-licking is more common in households with two dogs who are playful with one another, along with an owner who does not regularly clean his dogs' ears.
  
  

Submission

• Licking ears is also a way for certain dogs to show submission to other dogs or their owners. If a dog is licking another dog's ears, the one who is getting his ears licked is the dominant dog in that "pack." In the same way, if a dog licks the ears of her owner, she is being submissive to her more dominant owner.
  
  

Affection

• A dog make lick the ears of his owner or of other dogs in order to show affection and acceptance. Licking another's ears is a dog's way of letting the other person or dog know that he feels close to them.
  
  

Taste

• Dogs may also lick ears because of the salty taste that can accumulate there from normal perspiration. This is the same reason dogs occasionally lick faces, hands and other body parts.
  
  

Sanitation

• While owners mostly do not need to worry about sanitation concerns regarding dogs licking their ears, there is a slight chance that you can catch a sickness from your dog. If your dog has a specific illness, consult your veterinarian to find out if you can catch the sickness from ordinary ear-licking.