"How Much For That Doggy In The WIndow?"

SS - SciFi

Treatment:

WHO - A geneticist who disappeared off the grid a decade before. 

WHAT - Changing the dog genome for the true ultimate better.

WHERE - KS, IN, MW as you can get. Small towns that stay small, minimizing the chances of the dogs going someplace where  they will be noticed. Explore that theme a little more.

WHEN - Mid to late teens, early 20's (2013-218, through to 2024ish)

WHY - With all of the bad that can be done intentionally, and unintentionally, wouldn't it be nice to have a positive force to help counter all of the other possibilities?

HOW - Of course the genetic aspect {coding for speech recognition / cognition, communication of latent dog instincts (think Pickles), longevity, Ho'oMaluness}, ability to pass on desirable traits, ease of  'programming' to specific individuals. Think the 'Dog Whisperer' in 'The Matrix' world. "I know, doggy tag team Jujitsu."

Premise - A dog breeder has a new cross breed that is genetically modified. Think a dog with 10,000 years more experience of co-habituating with humans.

Randoms - can train your dog to you (dragon speak software)
                things you would never expect to train (listen seizure, heart attack, etc)
                completely benign (a feel good SF)