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Puppy vaccine schedule: every shot, by age
Puppy shots follow a predictable rhythm: a core combination vaccine roughly every three to four weeks from about 6–8 weeks of age until 14–16 weeks, rabies once local law requires it, and boosters about a year later. Here is the whole schedule in one chart, then what each line actually means.
| Puppy's age | Core vaccines | Usually also at this visit |
|---|---|---|
| 6–8 weeks | DHPP dose 1 (distemper, hepatitis/adenovirus, parainfluenza, parvovirus) | Fecal exam, deworming, discussion of heartworm and flea/tick prevention |
| 10–12 weeks | DHPP dose 2 | Non-core vaccines your vet recommends for your area and lifestyle (e.g., leptospirosis, Bordetella, Lyme) |
| 14–16 weeks | DHPP dose 3 | Rabies (typically given once between 12 and 16 weeks, as your local law requires); second doses of any non-core vaccines |
| ~12–16 months | DHPP booster; rabies booster | Adult wellness exam; from here, boosters move to a 1–3 year cycle your vet sets |
Why three rounds of the same shot?
Puppies are born with antibodies from their mother's milk. Those maternal antibodies protect a young puppy — but they also neutralize vaccines, and they fade at an unpredictable point somewhere between 6 and 16 weeks. Vets give DHPP in a series so that at least one dose lands after the maternal antibodies have dropped and the puppy's own immune system can respond. That's also why the final dose at 14–16 weeks matters most: skipping it can leave a gap in parvo protection right as your puppy starts exploring the world.
Core vs. non-core vaccines
Core vaccines are recommended for essentially every dog: the DHPP combination and rabies. Rabies is required by law in most of the US, with the first dose typically given between 12 and 16 weeks — the exact timing and booster interval depend on your state and municipality, so this is one your vet will schedule for you.
Non-core vaccines depend on where you live and what your puppy will do. Leptospirosis is increasingly recommended for most dogs because the bacteria spread through wildlife urine in water and soil; Bordetella matters if your puppy will visit daycare, boarding, or group training; Lyme makes sense in tick-heavy regions. Your vet weighs local disease risk — that conversation usually happens at the 10–12 week visit.
What happens if you miss a dose
Life happens. If you're a few days late, the series usually continues as planned. If the gap stretches past about six weeks, many vets restart or extend the series to make sure protection takes hold. Don't guess — call your clinic, tell them the dates of the doses your puppy already had, and let them rebuild the plan. This is exactly the kind of drift a written vaccine tracker chart (or the PupSchedule app) prevents.
Socialization while the series is unfinished
Until about one to two weeks after the final 14–16 week DHPP dose, your puppy isn't fully protected against parvovirus, which survives in soil for months. That doesn't mean total lockdown — the socialization window (roughly 3 to 14 weeks) is too important to waste. The standard compromise: carry your puppy in public, visit homes with known-vaccinated dogs, attend puppy classes that require proof of vaccination, and avoid dog parks, pet-store floors, and untested grass until the series is done.
Build the visits into the rest of the plan
Vaccine visits line up naturally with everything else on the puppy timeline. Deworming runs alongside the shot series — see the puppy worming schedule. Meals shift from four a day to three around the second vaccine visit — see the feeding schedule. And the puppy schedule by age shows how all the timelines stack week by week.
Frequently asked questions
When does a puppy get its first shots?
The first DHPP dose is typically given at 6–8 weeks of age. Many breeders and shelters give this dose before the puppy goes home — ask for the paperwork so your vet can continue the series on schedule.
How many rounds of shots do puppies need?
Three doses of the DHPP combination — at roughly 6–8, 10–12, and 14–16 weeks — plus one rabies vaccine between 12 and 16 weeks depending on local law. Boosters for both follow about a year later.
When can my puppy safely go to the dog park?
Most vets advise waiting until one to two weeks after the final 14–16 week DHPP dose, when parvo protection is reliable. Before that, stick to carried outings, vaccinated-dog playdates, and vaccine-required puppy classes.
What if my puppy missed a vaccine appointment?
Short delays usually don't matter — the series just continues. Gaps longer than about six weeks may mean restarting or extending the series. Call your vet with the exact dates of prior doses and let them adjust the plan.
Do adult dogs need DHPP every year?
After the booster at around 12–16 months, most dogs move to DHPP every three years. Rabies boosters follow your local law, typically every one or three years. Your vet sets the exact cycle.
A note from us: Always confirm timing with your veterinarian — schedules vary by region, breed, and health. PupSchedule is a planning tool, not a substitute for veterinary care.
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