Unwrap present for dog (3)
I believe the answer is:
tag
'for dog' is the definition.
(synonyms)
'unwrap present' is the wordplay.
'unwrap' indicates the central letters (I've seen 'unwrapping' mean this (letters which 'wrap' the word are removed)).
'present' becomes 'stage' (synonyms).
The middle letters of 'stage' are 'TAG'.
(Other definitions for tag that I've seen before include "Earmark" , "Identity disc" , "Tie-on label" , "Label (to attach)" , "Label - children's game" .)