Crossword Genius

Understands the dog's in and locks up (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

secures

'locks up' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)

'understands the dog's in' is the wordplay.
'understands' becomes 'sees' ('see' can be a synonym of 'understand').
'the dog' becomes 'cur' (a cur is an aggressive or scruffy dog).
'in' indicates putting letters inside.
'sees' placed around 'cur' is 'SECURES'.

'and' acts as a link.

(Other definitions for secures that I've seen before include "Makes safe through rescues" , "Guarantees" , "Makes firmly attached" , "Closes, fortifies" , "Ties down" .)

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