I doubt it would harm the hounds any. You might want to refrain from letting them eat anything that would give them gas after licking the dishes - or you may end up with some interesting bubble-makers. I can just see you at the shop, customer walks in, asks about the houn' dog, and you grab his tail, pull it off too the side, and watch the magic happen. Great entertainment for the kids! look at it this way, you wouldn't need tracking collars for them!