The phrase "wrought like a dog" refers to working hard and tirelessly, just like a dog would. The spelling of "wrought" can be confusing, as it is pronounced differently than it is spelled. The IPA phonetic transcription for "wrought" is /rɔːt/, with the "ough" combination making an "aw" sound. This phonetic spelling can help learners understand the pronunciation of this uncommon word, and use it correctly in context.