Pocket VetPuppy vaccination schedule
Puppy shots follow a simple rhythm: a core combination vaccine every 3–4 weeks until ~16 weeks, plus rabies. Exact timing varies by region and product, so use this as a map and let your vet set the dates.
The schedule
6–8 weeks
- ✓First DHPP (distemper, hepatitis/adenovirus, parvo, parainfluenza)
- ✓Start deworming (often every 2 weeks as a young pup)
10–12 weeks
- ✓Second DHPP
- ✓Optional by lifestyle/region: leptospirosis, Bordetella (kennel cough)
14–16 weeks
- ✓Third DHPP (final puppy dose)
- ✓Rabies (timing per local law)
- ✓Lepto booster if started
6 months
- ✓Discuss spay/neuter timing
- ✓Start regular flea/tick and heartworm prevention if not already
12–16 months
- ✓DHPP booster
- ✓Rabies booster (then every 1–3 years per product/law)
Good to know
- ●Until ~1–2 weeks after the final parvo shot, avoid high-traffic dog areas — parvo lives in soil.
- ●Socialisation still matters: carry your pup, visit vaccinated-dog homes, attend puppy classes that check vaccines.
- ●Regional extras (lyme, lepto, rattlesnake) depend on where you live — ask your vet.
Something off with your dog after a shot — or anytime?
Describe the symptoms and get an instant, calm triage — home care, vet soon, or emergency.
Check my dog nowFrequently asked
When can my puppy go outside?
Garden and clean areas: right away. Parks, sidewalks, and dog-heavy areas: about 1–2 weeks after the final parvo-containing shot (~16 weeks). Until then, carry them out for socialisation.
What happens if we miss a puppy shot?
Don't panic — your vet will adjust the series. If the gap is long, a dose may be repeated. The series just needs to finish at or after ~16 weeks of age.
More schedules
Pocket Vet editorial team
Written and maintained by the Pocket Vet editorial team using authoritative veterinary sources. Reviewed June 10, 2026. This guide is informational only and not a substitute for professional veterinary care — see our editorial & safety policy. When in doubt, contact your vet; in a true emergency, go to an emergency clinic immediately.
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