Pest disturbed by the dogs, perhaps (4)
I believe the answer is:
pets
'the dogs perhaps' is the definition.
'pest disturbed' is the wordplay.
'disturbed' indicates an anagram.
'pest' anagrammed gives 'PETS'.
'by' acts as a link.
(Other definitions for pets that I've seen before include "Animals at home" , "Domesticated animals" , "Domestic animals" , "Little darlings - step on them" .)