Did you make any New Year resolutions?

In my house, the most common one sounds like this: “I’ll start eating healthier in 2026… right after I finish all this leftover candy, pie, and cake from Christmas.”

If you’re laughing because you’ve said the same thing, well, no judgement here (obviously)!

While we joke about our resolutions, our dogs rely on us to set the habits that help them feel (and smell) their best all year long.

Whether your goal is less odor, healthier skin, or less scratching, these seven simple habits can make a huge difference in how your dog feels (and how your home smells).

The best part? You don't need complicated routines, harsh chemicals, or trendy gimmicks. Just consistency, good clean ingredients, and a little love.

Here are the 7 New Year resolutions every pet parent should make in 2026 for a healthier, cleaner, better-smelling pup.

1. Choose an Organic, Non-Toxic Shampoo

Because great skin starts with clean, safe ingredients.

Most dog shampoos are loaded with synthetic ingredients including fragrances, sulfates, and harsh preservatives that irritate skin, strip natural oils, and cause itching, flaking, or lingering odor. Many even contain contaminants like 1,4-dioxane - a known carcinogen.

Make 2026 the year you switch to shampoos that support your dog's skin instead of fighting it.

✅ Organic ingredients
✅ No artificial fragrance
✅ No SLS/SLES
✅ No parabens or petrochemicals

Your pup deserves the best all natural dog shampoo - and their skin will show the difference.

2. Adopt a Consistent Bathing Schedule

A clean, healthy dog is a non-smelly dog.

Inconsistent bathing leads to:

• oil buildup
• trapped allergens
• yeast flare-ups
• lingering "doggy smell"

Most dogs thrive when bathed every 2-4 weeks, depending on their lifestyle.

And if odor pops up in between baths?

A quick spritz with  4-Legger Apple Cider Vinegar Rinse helps remove buildup and refresh the coat naturally - no masking fragrances needed. If your dog tends to be more on the smelly side, this is a great in-between bath method to help control that.  But you might also need to do some digging to get at the underlying cause for that since a healthy dog shouldn’t have a persistent odor.

3. Use a Deodorizing Spray That Supports Skin Health

Ditch the synthetic fragrances and freshen naturally.

Many mainstream sprays just cover odor with heavy perfume - and that can infinitely worsen itching, dryness, and irritation.

4-Legger deodorizing sprays use steam-distilled essential oils and organic ingredients to freshen without harming the skin or exposing it to harsh chemicals.

💜 Lavender "Relax"
A calming, USDA Certified Organic lavender essential oil blend that helps your dog (and your home) feel peaceful and soothing. Perfect for reducing stress, calming anxiety in a dog that is reactive to storms and fireworks and creating a peaceful environment.

🍊 Sweet Orange "Revitalize" 
Bright, uplifting, and cheerful - our USDA Certified Organic sweet orange essential oil blend delivers a happy burst of freshness that supports skin collagen and has natural anti-inflammatory benefits.

🌿 Lemongrass "Refresh"
Crisp, clean, and naturally deodorizing. Our USDA Certified Organic Lemongrass essential oil blend helps neutralize tough odors while giving your dog a natural layer of skin and coat protection.  Lemongrass is also a natural pest deterrent for the outdoorsy dog.

❄️ Peppermint "Cooling"
Cool, invigorating, and refreshing. Our USDA Certified Organic peppermint essential oil blend provides a clean, minty scent that is cooling for “hot-skin” dogs and has natural anti-bacterial, anti-fungal benefits useful for managing chronic skin issues.

🌹 Rose Geranium "Balance"
Floral, uplifting, and naturally deodorizing. Our USDA Certified Organic rose geranium essential oil blend helps support dry skin and is a mild astringent to keep the coat free of environmental residue while giving your dog a beautifully light, clean, fresh-flower scent.

Each supports odor control, emotional wellbeing, and skin health.

4. Protect the Skin Barrier During Winter

Cold weather = dry skin, flakes, and dull coat.

Winter air pulls moisture from your dog's skin, and indoor heat makes it even worse. Keeping the skin barrier healthy requires a combination of good grooming, smart nutrition, and environmental support.

Here's what can help:

• Add healthy fats to your dog's diet: Omega-3s and medium-chain fatty acids nourish the skin from within. Mix organic coconut oil into your dog's food. I use a little CocoTherapy Triplex MCT-3 Oil to make my dog's scrambled eggs every morning and they LOVE it!! It also supports hydration, reduces flaking and promotes a shiny coat.
• Keep your dog hydrated. Hydration = healthier skin. Try adding warm water or bone broth to meals for an extra boost and the resulting “gravy” effect is very popular with my dogs.
• Use a hydrating, gentle shampoo. Shampoo should hydrate - not strip - especially in winter. Hydrating formulas like these make a noticeable difference:
  • 4-Legger MOISTURIZE Hemp Shampoo (deep hydration)
  • 4-Legger CALM Lavender & Calendula Shampoo (soothing for chronically dry or irritated skin) 
  • 4-Legger Orange and Neem (naturally hydrates the skin especially good for damaged skin)
• Use a humidifier indoors. Helps everyone in the home - especially dogs with dry skin.
• Limit over-bathing. Stick to every 2-4 weeks, supplemented with a rinse or deodorizing spritz between baths unless your dog has a health issue that necessitates more frequent bathing.
• Protect paws from salt + cold. Apply a small amount of organic paw wax to your dog's paw pads before going on a walk.

By supporting the skin from the inside and outside, your dog stays more hydrated, comfortable, and naturally better-smelling all winter long.

5. Keep Paws + Nose Hydrated and Protected

Winter is tough on the most sensitive parts of your dog's skin - especially their paws and nose.

Between bitter wind, icy sidewalks, salted roads, and dry indoor air, it's no surprise that many dogs develop cracked paw pads, raw irritated skin, redness between toes, and dry cracked noses

And once that skin becomes dry or cracked, it traps odor and becomes more susceptible to irritation or infection.

Applying a thin layer of 4-Legger Healing Balm acts like a winter shield:

✅ adds moisture back into the skin
✅ protects from salt burn and ice
✅ helps soothe licking and irritation
✅ keeps paws and noses soft, healthy, and comfortable

It's an easy habit that pays off quickly - especially in January and February when winter is at its worst.

6. Reduce Toxins in Your Home

Because your dog lives nose-first in your environment.

Fragrance plugs, scented candles, carpet sprays, "freshening" powders, and cleaning products contribute to:

• chronic skin irritation
• respiratory issues
• hormone disruption
• yeast and odor problems

Many contain benzene, formaldehyde, and phthalates and other harmful chemicals - and your dog breathes those in all day. Learn more about these potential toxins. 

Small changes can make a huge difference.

7. Regular Brush-Outs to Reduce Odor + Matting

A quick brush does more than make your dog look pretty.

Brushing removes:

• trapped dirt
• loose oils
• allergens
• dander
• odor-causing debris

It also prevents mats - which trap moisture and bacteria (a major source of dog odor).

 Regular brushing means cleaner skin, cleaner coat, and a longer-lasting fresh scent between baths.

Pair this habit with gentle, residue-free grooming products and you'll notice your dog stays fresher for much longer.

A Fresh Start for a Healthier, Happier Pup

These seven New Year resolutions for your dog aren't complicated - they're simple habits that make a big impact on your dog's health, comfort, and scent.

With cleaner ingredients, better routines, and a focus on skin health, 2026 can be your dog's best (and best-smelling) year yet.