Proteins needed for dogs (8)

I believe the answer is:

pointers

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'for dogs' is the definition.
(pointer is a kind of dog)

'proteins' is the wordplay.
'proteins' anagrams to 'POINTERS'.
However, I'm not clear how this is indicated.

'needed' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for pointers that I've seen before include "Dogs" , "Tips about proteins" , "Clues" , "making a good showing?" .)

I've seen this clue in The Globe and Mail.

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