Securing skittish tiny pug (5,2)

I believe the answer is:

tying up

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'securing' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both to do with contact as well as being present participle verbs.
Perhaps they are linked in a way I don't understand?

'skittish tiny pug' is the wordplay.
'skittish' indicates an anagram.
'tiny'+'pug'='tinypug'
'tinypug' with letters rearranged gives 'TYING UP'.

Can you help me to learn more?

I've seen this clue in The Irish Times.

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