When Do Puppies Need Shots? Your Complete Vaccination Guide

Bringing home a new puppy is thrilling, but protecting their health from day one is crucial. One of the first things new dog owners must tackle is understanding the puppy vaccination schedule. Vaccinations are foundational to your puppy’s immune development and protection against serious, sometimes fatal diseases.

Why Puppies Need Multiple Shots, Not Just One

Here’s what many first-time dog parents don’t realize: a single vaccine won’t cut it. Puppies are born with temporary immunity from their mother, but this protection fades quickly—usually by 6 to 8 weeks of age. During this vulnerable window, maternal antibodies can actually interfere with vaccine effectiveness.

“To ensure puppies develop sufficient antibodies for protection, they require a series of vaccinations administered over several weeks,” explains Dr. Jamie Richardson, head of veterinary small medicine at Small Door Veterinary. This is why booster shots are essential. The repeated doses build up your puppy’s immune response over time.

Understanding Core vs. Noncore Vaccines

The American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) divides puppy vaccines into two categories, each serving a different purpose in your pup’s health plan.

Core vaccines are essential for all puppies:

• Canine distemper
• Canine adenovirus (hepatitis)
• Canine parvovirus
• Rabies

Noncore vaccines depend on your dog’s lifestyle and location:

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

Your veterinarian will recommend which noncore vaccines your puppy needs based on geographic risk, exposure likelihood, and your lifestyle.

When Do Puppies Need Shots? The Timeline Explained

The 6 to 16-Week Window: Core Vaccination Series

Most puppies start their vaccination journey at 6 weeks old. The initial series includes:

• First dose: 6 to 8 weeks of age
• Second dose: 10 to 12 weeks of age
• Third dose: 14 to 16 weeks of age

These three visits are typically spaced 2 to 4 weeks apart. The combination vaccine often covers distemper, adenovirus, parvovirus, and parainfluenza in a single injection (known as DHPP or DAP).

Rabies: A Separate Timeline

Rabies vaccination follows its own schedule. Puppies receive an initial rabies shot, then a second dose one year later. After that, booster shots are required every one to three years, depending on your state’s regulations.

Noncore Vaccine Timing

If your veterinarian recommends noncore vaccines:

• Leptospirosis: Administered at 12 weeks or older, followed by a booster 2 to 4 weeks later, then annually
• Lyme disease: Given after the initial core series is underway, then booster shots annually
• Bordetella: Can be given as early as 2 to 3 weeks old if needed, with annual boosters
• Canine influenza: Administered after 6 weeks, with a second dose 2 to 4 weeks later, then annually

Breaking Down Each Core Vaccine

Canine Distemper: A Respiratory and Neurological Threat

Distemper is a highly contagious viral disease affecting the respiratory, gastrointestinal, and nervous systems. Puppies under 4 months and unvaccinated dogs face the highest risk.

Symptoms include:

• Fever and nasal discharge
• Cough and loss of appetite
• Neurological signs: circling, head tilting, seizures, or partial paralysis in severe cases

Puppies should start the distemper vaccine at 6 weeks, with subsequent doses at 3 to 4-week intervals until 16 weeks old. The booster schedule is every three years after the initial series.

Canine Adenovirus (Infectious Canine Hepatitis)

This severe viral infection attacks the liver, kidneys, and blood vessels, primarily through contaminated urine, feces, and respiratory discharge from infected animals.

Watch for:

• Decreased appetite and depression
• Eye and nose discharge
• In severe cases: vomiting, jaundice, and facial swelling (often fatal in young puppies)

The adenovirus vaccine is typically given as part of the DHPP combination, with the same timeline as distemper—three doses between 6 and 16 weeks, then boosters every three years.

Canine Parvovirus: Extremely Contagious and Dangerous

Parvo is one of the most contagious canine viruses, spreading through contaminated feces and environmental surfaces. It’s remarkably hardy, surviving heat, cold, and drying—making it a persistent threat.

Symptoms are severe:

• Lethargy and loss of appetite
• Abdominal pain and bloating
• Fever or dangerously low body temperature
• Severe, bloody diarrhea and vomiting

When do puppies need parvovirus shots? Three doses at 6-8 weeks, 10-12 weeks, and 14-16 weeks, followed by a booster at one year and then every three years.

Rabies: The Non-Negotiable Vaccine

Rabies is transmitted through saliva and affects the central nervous system, causing behavioral changes, aggression, excessive drooling, and biting. It’s fatal in nearly 100% of cases once symptoms appear.

The rabies vaccine is legally required in the United States (though schedules vary by state). Puppies receive an initial series of two vaccines one year apart, then boosters every one to three years based on local law.

Noncore Vaccines: When Your Puppy Might Need Extra Protection

Canine Leptospirosis: A Bacterial Threat

This bacterial infection affects the liver and kidneys through contaminated water, soil, or direct contact with infected urine. Symptoms include fever, muscle pain, increased thirst, vomiting, and kidney failure if untreated.

Important note: In California, leptospirosis is now recommended as a core vaccine due to widespread prevalence even in urban areas. The vaccine begins at 12 weeks with a booster 2 to 4 weeks later, then annually.

Canine Lyme Disease: For Tick-Heavy Areas

Transmitted by deer ticks (black-legged ticks), Lyme disease causes fever, joint pain and swelling, lameness, and swollen lymph nodes. If untreated, it can damage the kidneys, nervous system, and heart.

Lyme vaccination is recommended for dogs in high-risk regions: the Northeast, New England states, upper Midwest, and Pacific coast. It’s especially important if your puppy spends significant time outdoors or hiking.

Canine Bordetella (Kennel Cough)

This highly contagious respiratory illness causes a distinctive honking cough, lethargy, fever, and rapid breathing. It’s common in dogs that are boarded, groomed, or visit dog parks.

The bordetella vaccine can be administered as an injection, oral spray into the cheek, or nasal drops. The nasal option develops local immunity on mucous membranes, offering faster protection than injectable versions.

Canine Influenza: Growing in Prevalence

Similar to human flu, canine influenza spreads through respiratory droplets in close-contact settings like kennels, shelters, and dog parks. Dogs develop coughing, eye and nasal discharge, sneezing, and lethargy.

The AAHA classifies this as a noncore vaccine, though it’s becoming increasingly popular as infections rise across the U.S. It won’t prevent infection but may reduce severity and duration. It’s recommended for social dogs, boarders, and those attending grooming regularly.

Western Diamondback Rattlesnake Toxoid

This specialized vaccine helps dogs build antibodies against rattlesnake venom. However, published efficacy data is limited. The vaccine is given in two doses one month apart, with annual boosters required at least one month before exposure to rattlesnake habitats.

Booster Shots: The Ongoing Commitment

After your puppy completes the initial vaccination series, boosters keep immunity strong. Here’s the booster schedule:

• Distemper, adenovirus, parvovirus, parainfluenza: One booster within one year, then every three years
• Rabies: Every one to three years (state-dependent)
• Leptospirosis, Lyme, bordetella, influenza: Annual boosters
• Rattlesnake toxoid: Annual booster

Missing booster shots can leave your adult dog vulnerable to preventable diseases.

What About Deworming?

Puppies don’t just need vaccines—they also need parasite protection. Deworming typically begins as early as 2 weeks of age and is adjusted based on your puppy’s exposure risk.

Puppy Vaccination Costs

The total cost to vaccinate a puppy through the initial series ranges from $75 to $100, depending on location. Here’s a breakdown of average individual vaccine costs:

• Bordetella: $30.69
• DHPP (distemper, adenovirus, parvovirus, parainfluenza): $35.87
• Bivalent Influenza: $48.57
• Leptospirosis: $21.96
• Lyme disease: $39.41
• Rabies: $25.49

Plus, you’ll need to budget for booster shots every 1 to 3 years. Many veterinarians offer puppy wellness packages bundling vaccines and visits. Low-cost clinics and local animal shelters often charge less than traditional veterinary practices.

Should You Consider Pet Insurance?

Pet insurance can significantly reduce vaccination and wellness costs. With coverage, dog owners typically save 40% to 60% compared to out-of-pocket payments. For example, a $33.38 Bordetella vaccine might cost only $13-20 after insurance reimbursement.

Enrolling a puppy early has additional advantages:

• Avoid exclusions for pre-existing conditions
• Lower premiums for younger dogs
• Most plans have waiting periods, so earlier enrollment provides faster coverage
• Wellness plans can cover annual visits, vaccinations, and routine preventive care

Frequently Asked Questions

When should my puppy have all their shots by?

Generally, the complete initial vaccination series is finished by 16 weeks of age. Annual boosters continue throughout your dog’s life.

How many shots does a puppy need for parvo?

At least three doses of a combination vaccine, sometimes more, administered between 6 and 16 weeks of age, spaced 2 to 4 weeks apart.

Do all vaccines require boosters?

While not all vaccines require booster shots, most core vaccines do. Rabies, distemper, adenovirus, and parvovirus all need periodic boosters to maintain immunity. Noncore vaccines vary—some require annual boosters, others every three years.

What if I miss a booster appointment?

Contact your veterinarian immediately. Depending on how long you’ve been overdue, your vet may recommend restarting the series or simply catching up. Don’t leave your puppy unprotected.

Final Takeaway

Understanding your puppy’s vaccination needs is one of the most important responsibilities of dog ownership. Starting the vaccination series on time, completing the full schedule, and maintaining boosters gives your furry friend the strongest defense against preventable diseases. Work closely with your veterinarian to create a personalized vaccination plan based on your puppy’s risk factors and lifestyle—because a protected puppy is a healthy, thriving puppy.