Your Complete Guide to Puppy Vaccine Schedule: What Every New Dog Owner Should Know

Getting a new puppy is thrilling, but protecting their health from day one requires understanding the right puppy vaccine schedule. While picking out toys and training methods matters, nothing tops the importance of a solid vaccination plan for your new companion.

Why Puppies Need Multiple Vaccine Doses

Here’s what often surprises first-time dog owners: puppies don’t just need one vaccine and they’re done. Mother dogs pass temporary immune protection to their puppies, but this maternal immunity fades quickly—and it can actually interfere with vaccine effectiveness. “To ensure puppies acquire a high enough level of antibodies to be effective, they have to be vaccinated multiple times—in other words, they need boosters,” explains Dr. Jamie Richardson, D.V.M., head of veterinary small medicine at Small Door Veterinary.

This is why your puppy’s vaccine schedule spans several months with repeated doses spaced weeks apart.

Core vs. Noncore: Understanding Your Puppy’s Vaccine Options

The American Animal Hospital Association divides puppy vaccines into two categories, and knowing the difference helps you make informed decisions with your vet.

Core vaccines are recommended for every single dog. These include:

• Canine distemper
• Canine adenovirus
• Canine parvovirus
• Rabies

Often, distemper, adenovirus, and parvovirus are combined into one injection called DHP (or DHPP if parainfluenza is included). This combo approach reduces the number of shots your puppy needs.

Noncore vaccines are optional and depend on your puppy’s lifestyle, location, and risk factors. Your vet may recommend them based on your specific situation:

• Canine leptospirosis
• Canine Lyme disease
• Canine bordetella (kennel cough)
• Canine influenza
• Western diamondback rattlesnake toxoid

Essential Core Vaccines: What They Protect Against

Canine Distemper

This highly contagious viral disease attacks the respiratory, gastrointestinal, and nervous systems. Puppies and dogs catch it through the coughing or sneezing of infected animals, or via shared food and water bowls. Infected puppies develop fever, nasal discharge, coughing, lethargy, reduced appetite, and vomiting. In severe cases, the virus damages the central nervous system, causing circling, head tilts, muscle twitches, seizures, and even paralysis.

Puppies under 4 months and unvaccinated dogs face the highest risk. The distemper vaccine begins at 6 weeks old, then repeats every 3-4 weeks until 16 weeks of age.

Canine Adenovirus (Infectious Canine Hepatitis)

Canine adenovirus 1 causes infectious canine hepatitis (ICH), a severe and often fatal condition. The virus spreads through infected urine, feces, and nose/eye discharge, attacking the liver, kidneys, and blood vessels. Young puppies are most vulnerable and may show decreased appetite, depression, mild fever, respiratory symptoms, and eye/nose discharge. Severe cases result in vomiting, diarrhea, head and neck swelling, and jaundice—often fatal in young puppies.

The adenovirus vaccine is administered as part of the DHPP combo vaccine. Puppies need at least three doses between 6-16 weeks of age, spaced 2-4 weeks apart. A booster follows within one year, then every three years thereafter.

Canine Parvovirus

Parvo is a highly contagious virus affecting a dog’s gastrointestinal tract, spreading through contaminated feces and environments. The virus survives extreme temperatures and can persist on kennel surfaces, bowls, collars, leashes, and even clothing. Puppies under 4 months and unvaccinated dogs are at greatest risk.

Dogs with parvo show lethargy, loss of appetite, abdominal pain, bloating, fever or low body temperature, vomiting, and severe bloody diarrhea. Because young puppies are extremely susceptible, vaccination is critical. The parvovirus vaccine is given at 6-8 weeks, 10-12 weeks, and 14-16 weeks, followed by a booster at one year and then every three years.

Rabies

Rabies, caused by the Lyssavirus, spreads through infected animal saliva. It affects the central nervous system, causing abnormal behavior including aggression, excessive drooling, and unprovoked biting. Globally, rabies kills 59,000 humans and millions of animals annually, making this vaccine critical.

Rabies vaccination is legally required in the United States, though scheduling varies by state. Puppies receive an initial series of two vaccines one year apart, followed by boosters every three years.

Noncore Vaccines: When Your Puppy Might Need Them

Canine Leptospirosis

This bacterial infection causes fever, shivering, muscle tenderness, increased thirst, urination changes, dehydration, vomiting, diarrhea, and lethargy. Dogs contract it through contact with infected urine or contaminated water, or when bacteria enter cuts and scrapes. Leptospirosis is a noncore vaccine typically recommended by your vet based on your puppy’s risk level. Interestingly, UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine now recommends leptospirosis as a core vaccine in California due to its life-threatening potential and vaccine safety improvements. The vaccine is given yearly, with the first dose at no earlier than 12 weeks, followed by a booster 2-4 weeks later.

Canine Lyme Disease

Transmitted by tick bites (particularly deer ticks or black-legged ticks), Lyme disease is caused by the Borrelia burgdorferi bacteria. Once a tick attaches, it takes 1-2 days to transmit infection—prompt removal is crucial. The disease is most common in the Northeast (especially New England), upper Midwest, and Pacific coast.

Infected dogs show fever, loss of appetite, painful or swollen joints, lameness, swollen lymph nodes, and lethargy. Left untreated, Lyme disease damages kidneys, nervous system, and heart. While a vaccine exists, it remains noncore and is recommended for dogs living in high-risk areas or spending significant time outdoors. “This is recommended in any geographical areas where these ticks are found, and if your dog hikes or spends a significant time outdoors,” says Richardson.

Canine Bordetella (Kennel Cough)

Canine infectious respiratory disease complex (CIRDC), commonly called kennel cough, is a highly contagious respiratory illness causing a frequent, honking cough. Other symptoms include lethargy, decreased appetite, fever, and rapid or labored breathing. The condition typically involves Bordetella bronchiseptica bacteria, canine parainfluenza virus, or canine adenovirus type 2.

Vets recommend the noncore bordetella vaccine for puppies that will be boarded, groomed, or interact with other dogs in high-traffic areas like dog parks. The vaccine is available as an injection, oral administration into the cheek pouch, or nasal drops. The nasal method allows local immunity to develop on mucous membranes where infectious agents first attack, providing faster protection than injections.

Canine Influenza

Similar to human flu, canine influenza causes respiratory infection in dogs. The virus spreads when infected dogs are in close contact, particularly in kennels, shelters, and dog parks, via coughing, sneezing, barking, and contaminated objects like water bowls and leashes.

Infected dogs develop coughing, eye and nose discharge, sneezing, fever, lethargy, and appetite loss. The AAHA classifies the canine influenza vaccine as noncore—it may not prevent infection but reduces severity and duration. It’s most recommended for socially active dogs, those boarding or grooming regularly, or dogs in communal facilities. “This vaccine is especially important if your dog is social, boarding or goes to grooming,” Richardson notes.

Western Diamondback Rattlesnake Toxoid

This noncore vaccine helps dogs build antibodies to deadly snake venom. However, no published data documents its effectiveness in dogs. The vaccine is given in two doses one month apart, with annual boosters required at least one month before exposure to rattlesnake habitat. “The rattlesnake vaccine delays the time the toxin takes to affect your pet but does not eliminate the need for a veterinary emergency hospital visit,” Richardson explains.

Your Puppy’s Vaccine Schedule Timeline

6 Weeks Old:

• First DHP/DHPP dose begins the puppy vaccine schedule

10-12 Weeks Old:

• Second DHP/DHPP dose

14-16 Weeks Old:

• Third DHP/DHPP dose
• First rabies vaccine (requirements vary by location)

12-16 Weeks (If Noncore Vaccines Recommended):

• Leptospirosis initial dose (no earlier than 12 weeks)
• Other noncore vaccines based on lifestyle

One Year After Last Initial Dose:

• Booster shots for DHP/DHPP and rabies
• Second rabies vaccine if required by state law
• Leptospirosis and Lyme disease boosters (if given)
• Bordetella, influenza, and other noncore vaccine boosters

Every 1-3 Years Thereafter:

• Booster schedule depends on vaccine type and local regulations

Puppy Vaccine Costs: What to Budget

The total cost to vaccinate a puppy typically ranges from $75 to $100, depending on location and veterinary practice. Common individual vaccine costs include:

• Bordetella: $30.69
• DAPP (distemper/adenovirus/parvovirus): $35.87
• Bivalent influenza: $48.57
• Leptospirosis: $21.96
• Lyme disease: $39.41
• Rabies: $25.49

Some veterinarians offer puppy wellness packages bundling all vaccines and visits at a set price. Plan for additional booster shot costs every 1-3 years. Many communities offer low-cost or free vaccination clinics through local animal shelters, providing more affordable options.

Pet Insurance and Your Puppy Vaccine Schedule

Pet insurance can significantly reduce the cost of maintaining your puppy’s vaccine schedule. While pet insurance varies in coverage, many plans include wellness visits and vaccinations. “The cost (with) insurance is generally 40% to 60% less compared to out-of-pocket payments, depending on the provider,” notes Dr. Michael Thompson, D.V.M., founder of Pets Food Safety.

For example, the Bordetella vaccine costs $33.38 in California; pet insurance can cover most of this expense. Adding a wellness plan to your pet insurance helps offset annual wellness visits, vaccinations, heartworm treatment, and other routine care.

Enrolling your puppy early offers benefits:

• Avoid exclusions for pre-existing conditions
• Avoid costly emergency care for preventable diseases
• Most insurers have waiting periods, so early enrollment matters
• Younger dogs typically cost less to insure

Frequently Asked Questions About Puppy Vaccinations

When do puppies need booster shots?

“It’s important that puppies get vaccines and boosters, because they are especially vulnerable to diseases due to their underdeveloped immune systems,” says Richardson. Booster timing varies by vaccine: distemper, adenovirus, and parvovirus require one dose within one year of completing initial series, then every three years. Rabies boosters occur every 1-3 years depending on state law. Leptospirosis, Lyme disease, bordetella, and influenza typically require annual boosters after the initial series.

When should I deworm my puppy?

Deworming typically begins as early as 2 weeks old and should be adjusted based on your puppy’s parasite exposure. Discuss deworming schedules with your veterinarian.

How many parvo shots does a puppy need?

Puppies need at least three doses (sometimes more) of a combo vaccine including parvo protection, administered between 6-16 weeks of age, spaced roughly 2-4 weeks apart.

When are all puppy shots completed?

Generally, the final puppy vaccine is given at 16 weeks, with annual boosters continuing throughout the dog’s life.

Final Thoughts on Your Puppy’s Health

Establishing a solid puppy vaccine schedule protects your new companion from serious, often fatal diseases. Work closely with your veterinarian to determine which vaccines your specific puppy needs based on location, lifestyle, and health status. Regular check-ins ensure your puppy stays on track and receives all necessary protection during this critical developmental stage.