Understands dogs (7)
I believe the answer is:
follows
This clue could be a double definition.
'understands' is the first definition.
'dogs' is the second definition.
The answer and definition can be both to do with motion as well as being verbs in their -s form.
Perhaps there's an association between them I don't understand?
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for follows that I've seen before include "Goes or comes after" , "Pursues" .)