About

About
Introducing Ella (puppy) to challenging new environments. Lilly & Shelby are standard poodles. Not the breed you would expect for bed bug detection, but they were steady and reliable workers for more than a decade of their lives. We put some thought into paring the correct dog for the job. Many of our clients included retirement homes, hospitals, and schools. Often the residents were in the bed or sitting in the room while we inspected. The poodle was pretty non-reactive, non-threatening, did not shed, and the breed’s foundation was a hunting companion. We were not as flashy as the GSD, Mal, or labs, but for our needs the poodle turned out to be a good fit.

Welcome to Scenting Dogs, LLC — Your Partner in Raising, Training, and Empowering Your Dog

Whether you're welcoming a new puppy, want support with behavior and manners, or are excited to explore scent work and detection skills with your dog, Scenting Dogs, LLC is here to guide you.
Owned and operated by Laura J. Totis, Scenting Dogs offers personalized coaching designed to help you and your dog become a confident, connected team.

With over 40 years of hands-on experience working with dogs of all breeds and skill levels, Laura brings deep expertise, practical insight, and a warm, supportive coaching style to every client relationship. Hundreds of dog teams—and nearly two dozen of her own dogs—have grown under her guidance.

 Her approach blends technical precision with compassionate coaching, ensuring that both you and your dog feel supported as you grow together into a confident team

What We Offer

Puppy Raising & Everyday Behavior Coaching

Start your journey with expert guidance tailored to your dog’s age, breed, and personality. Laura provides clear, compassionate coaching to help you build great habits, reduce stress, and create a well-mannered companion you’re proud to live with.

Professional Canine Scent Detection & Pest Control Coaching

If you’re interested in training your dog for bed bug, insect, or rodent detection, Laura brings more than a decade of industry-leading experience.
You’ll benefit from her background as:

  • A licensed Pest Control Operator
  • An Associate Certified Entomologist (ACE – ESA)
  • A Purdue-credentialed Integrated Pest Management (IPM) professional
  • A trainer who has certified and supervised multiple working detection teams

Laura can help you understand the science of detection work, structure effective training plans, and prepare for real-world field conditions.

Behavior Consulting

For dogs who need behavioral support—fear, reactivity, household manners, and more—Laura offers evidence-based guidance grounded in her professional membership with the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC). She has also served as a mentor for Animal Behavior College students, helping future trainers grow their skills.

Assistance & Medical Alert Dog Coaching

If you need an assistance dog trained for medical alert or related tasks, Laura blends odor detection expertise with behavior and task training to help your dog learn reliable, life-enhancing skills. Coaching is supportive, practical, and tailored to you and your dog.

Detection Dog Training & Evaluation

From lost person or pet detection to water, cadaver, and endangered species work, Laura has decades of experience training high-performance detection dogs and evaluating dog/handler teams.
Her background includes serving as a certifying official for:

  • Law Enforcement Training Specialists (L.E.T.S.)
  • Indiana Department of Homeland Security (IDHS)
  • National Association for Search and Rescue (NASAR)

She is also a founder within the lost pet detection industry and currently serves as President of the World Detector Dog Organization (WDDO).

Sport Dog Coaching & Evaluations

If you want to step into the exciting world of scent sports, Laura can help you build skills, strengthen your teamwork, and prepare for trials.
She has judged for:

  • National Association of Canine Scent Work (NACSW)
  • World Detector Dog Organization (WDDO) sport certification programs

Her coaching is supportive, fun, and built around helping your dog love the game.

Why Work With Scenting Dogs, LLC?

  • Personalized coaching centered on your goals
  • Decades of experience across real-world, working, and sport applications
  • Positive, effective training methods that strengthen trust and communication
  • Support for all breeds and skill levels—from family pets to advanced detection teams