Green’s Dictionary of Slang

dog (and bone) n.

telephone (cf. dog n.¹² ).

1961		J. Franklyn Dict. of Rhy. Sl. (1981) 146/1: Dog and bone, ’phone [...] This term seems to have evolved since the second war, probably partly due to the increase in the number of telephones installed.
1971		J. Jones Rhy. Cockney Sl.
1985		Wheeler & Broadhead Upper Class Rhy. Sl. 43: I expect you’d be able to let me ’ave a dog and bone, as it’s a live-in position.
1999		Guardian G2 3 Dec. 18: Shouting at each other into the mobile dog and bone.
2001		D. Looser Boobslang [U. Canterbury D.Phil. thesis] 58/1: dog and bone n. a telephone.
2002		D. Shaw ‘Dead Beard’ at www.asstr.org 🌐 Or do you just have a friendly chat with Lingers on the dog and bone?
2016		N. Cummins Adventures of the Honey Badger [ebook] VITAL AUSSIE VERNACULAR Telephone: 1. Al Capone 2. Dog and Bone 3. Blower.
2019		P. Baker Fabulosa 291/2: dog and bone a telephone.
2024		J. Meades Empty Wigs (t/s) 116: When my old chum Henry comes on the dog he goes to me can I help him look for his parents?