Puppy & Dog Vaccination Schedule: What Shots and When
Vaccines protect your dog from several serious — sometimes fatal — diseases. The exact schedule is tailored by your veterinarian based on age, health, and lifestyle, but here's a clear overview of what's typically given and when.
Not veterinary advice. This guide shares widely accepted care information. For diagnosis, dosing, or anything unusual with your pet, call your veterinarian.
Core vaccines (recommended for nearly every dog)
- DA2PP (sometimes written DHPP) — protects against Distemper, Adenovirus (infectious hepatitis), Parvovirus, and Parainfluenza. Often given as one combination shot.
- Rabies — required by law in most places and nearly universally recommended.
Lifestyle (non-core) vaccines
Given based on risk:
- Bordetella — for dogs that board, daycare, or socialize (kennel cough complex).
- Leptospirosis — for dogs exposed to wildlife or standing water.
- Lyme disease — for dogs in tick-endemic regions.
- Canine influenza — for dogs in high-contact settings.
A typical puppy schedule
Puppies need a series because maternal antibodies fade at different rates. A common pattern:
- 6–8 weeks: First DA2PP.
- 10–12 weeks: Second DA2PP; start lifestyle vaccines as advised.
- 14–16 weeks: Final DA2PP and Rabies (timing per local law).
Until the series is complete, keep your puppy away from high-risk areas where unvaccinated dogs gather.
Adult boosters
- DA2PP: boosted a year after the puppy series, then typically every 3 years for many dogs (some vets tailor annually).
- Rabies: boosted per local law — often annually or every 3 years.
- Lifestyle vaccines: often annual; follow your vet's plan.
Side effects to watch
Mild reactions — slight lethargy, soreness at the site, or reduced appetite for a day — are common and usually minor. Contact your vet promptly if you see facial swelling, repeated vomiting, hives, or difficulty breathing, which can indicate an allergic reaction.
Record-keeping
Keep a copy of your dog's vaccination record; boarding, grooming, training, and travel often require proof.
This overview reflects general practice; your veterinarian sets the actual schedule for your dog.