A dog tears around rock (9)
I believe the answer is:
alabaster
'rock' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both substances as well as being singular nouns.
Maybe there's a link between them I don't understand?
'a dog tears around' is the wordplay.
'dog' becomes 'lab' (short for labrador).
'around' indicates anagramming the letters.
'tears' with letters rearranged gives 'aster'.
'a'+'lab'+'aster'='ALABASTER'
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for alabaster that I've seen before include "statuary material?" , "White translucent form of gypsum used for statues, vases etc" , "Material for sculpting" , "White or translucent mineral" , "Carved form of gypsum" .)