Geelong has a chance to rebound against Frankston on Saturday following a disappointing loss to Footscray last weekend.
The Cats started decently after winning the toss and batting, putting on 44 for the first wicket.
But their top and middle order batsmen were unable to build on multiple starts, except for Gus Boyd, who hit the crease at number five.
Boyd made 72 off 65 balls, including three fours and four sixes, to help the Cats pass the 200 mark.
The developing batsman has been solid for Geelong this year, averaging 44.6 and scoring a century against Greenvale in round three.
But he was running out of batting partners against the Dogs when he was caught off the bowling of Dean Russ with the Cats at 8/221.
The Dogs cleaned up the tail cheaply, dismissing the Cats for 238 off 47.5 overs.
Footscray fast bowler Jordan Buckingham took 3/45 while batting all-rounder Russ had his best outing with the ball for the season so far of 4/47.
But Russ failed back it up with the bat with up-and-coming fast paceman Josh Garner bowling him for just 6.
The Dogs looked in trouble at 2/15, despite chasing a low score, after fellow opener Dylan Brasher edged Dom McGlinchey to be caught behind for no additional score.
Joining Victorian regular Travis Dean at the crease, Dan Sartori survived a shaky start before batting on to rescue the Dogs.
Unlike the majority of the Cats batsmen, Sartori built on his start to hit 107 off 125 balls, including nine fours and two sixes.
He took advantage of a reprieve midway through his innings when wicketkeeper Josh McDonald dropped an edge off the bowling of left-arm wrist spinner Callum Stow.
Dean (32), and brothers Jordan and Dylan Kight (46 and 25*) chipped in to help the Dogs post 5/239 to win with two overs remaining.
Geelong will return home on Saturday to take on 15th-placed Frankston Peninsula, which scored an upset win over third-placed Melbourne last weekend.
The Cats will not want to underestimate Frankston’s young side despite the Heat only recording their first win for the season last weekend.
The Heat’s young bowling attack is in fine form after dismissing Melbourne for just 146.
The Cats need to make the most of their favourable draw for the rest of January beginning with Frankston.
They will play the first of two home games for the month this Saturday and are set to face three bottom-eight sides, including Frankston, in their next four games.
Meanwhile, the Barwon Women’s Cricket Competition resumed with 20-over matches taking place across the region on Sunday, with one game on Saturday.
Liz Tubb topped the division one batting with 50* (retired) in St Joseph’s win over North Geelong.
Sara Martini took 4/14 for St Joseph’s, while Portarlington’s Jayde Gillett also impressed with the ball this round, taking 4/12 in her side’s loss to Ocean Grove.
Barrabool, Geelong West and East Belmont also picked up wins. East Belmont sits above Ocean Grove on top of the ladder on percentage, followed by Barrabool and Manifold Heights.
In the north division Ballarat Navy, Lethbridge Green and Lara picked up victories, while Geelong West Chapman won by forfeit over Ballarat Gold.
Ballarat Navy is on top of the ladder on percentage over Lara, followed by Modewarre and Lethbridge Green.
In the south division ladder leader Highton extended its undefeated run to eight games with a win over south Barwon, while East Belmont Razz, Geelong City, Torquay Black and Collendina also picked up wins.
Torquay Black sits second on the ladder, with one less win than Highton, followed by East Belmont Razz and Collendina.
