Behavior: Licking ears

Question
I have two 10-year old minpins (one male, one female) and an 8 month old staffordshire bull terrier (female). My female minpin is the dominant one in the group. The male minpin and the female puppy lick each others ears all the time(seems like it anyway). When she last went to the vet (to be fixed), I had the vet look at her ears and all was fine. The vet said it had to do with "pecking" order. I do not understand this- if one would display dominance over the other- why would they lick each other's ears- wouldn't just one lick the others? Would the one lower in the pack lick the one that is higher in the pack? This bothers me because the puppy will sometimes try to lick my ears (especially when I am sleeping, sitting on the floor or couch etc.). The other two dogs do not try to do this to me at all.  

Answer
I think it may be more of an acceptance and affection.  It is important to ear health.  Ear mites and infections are much less common in households where the dogs regularly lick each others' ears.  With just one dog, many owners must regularly clean the ears.  

Some of the dominance issues are very subtle.  The lower status dog may not do this or that until the dominate dog demands it.