Ear licking is a common behavior observed among canines. It involves one dog using its tongue to groom the ear of another. This action is often accompanied by other social grooming behaviors, such as licking other parts of the body.
This inter-dog behavior serves several crucial functions. It reinforces social bonds, establishing and maintaining pack hierarchy. Furthermore, ear licking can be a method of allogrooming, where individuals cooperate in hygiene maintenance, addressing areas difficult for the recipient to reach themselves. This practice may also stem from inherited behaviors from their wolf ancestors where cooperation was crucial for survival.
