Green’s Dictionary of Slang

1. to prioritize, to find important.

1990

(con. early 1950s) J. Ellroy L.A. Confidential 100: Working Ad Vice hurt – the job was a snore, he hot-dogged on dope every time he got a shot.

2. to grab for oneself.

2000

F. Kellerman Stalker (2001) 56: I wasn’t hotdoggin’ anything!