How often does my dog need booster shots?

After the puppy series (3 DHPP doses at 6-8, 12, and 16 weeks), DHPP boosters are every 3 years. Rabies boosters follow local laws (1-3 years). Non-core vaccines may need annual boosters. Our calculator generates a timeline tailored to your regional and lifestyle factors.

When do puppies need their first shots?

Puppies typically start their vaccination series at 6-8 weeks of age. The standard puppy schedule is: 6-8 weeks — 1st DHPP; 10-12 weeks — 2nd DHPP + optional Bordetella/Leptospirosis; 14-16 weeks — 3rd DHPP + Rabies. The series starts when maternal antibodies from the mother's milk begin to wane, which is why it's dangerous to take unvaccinated puppies to dog parks or high-traffic areas before the full series is complete. After the initial series, a 1-year booster is critical for lasting immunity.

Does my dog need a deworming schedule?

Yes, deworming is an important part of preventive care. Puppies should be dewormed at 2, 4, 6, and 8 weeks of age, then monthly until 6 months. Adult dogs typically need deworming every 3-6 months depending on lifestyle and risk factors (hunting, raw food diets, exposure to other animals). Common parasites include roundworms, hookworms, whipworms, and tapeworms. Our vaccination schedule includes deworming reminders alongside vaccine dates so you can coordinate vet visits efficiently.

Can I vaccinate my own puppy at home?

While some feed stores sell DIY vaccines, veterinary organizations strongly discourage at-home vaccination for several critical reasons. First, improper storage or handling renders the vaccine ineffective — vaccines must stay continuously refrigerated at 2-8°C (35-46°F), and even brief temperature excursions can destroy the attenuated viruses. Second, incorrect injection technique (wrong location, depth, or angle) means the vaccine may not produce immunity. Third, and most importantly, anaphylactic reactions occur in approximately 1 in 1,000-5,000 vaccinations — a vet clinic has epinephrine, oxygen, and IV access ready to save your puppy's life within minutes. At home, you have none of these. Fourth, vet-administered vaccines create a legal medical record required for boarding, grooming, travel, and dog parks. Fifth, many vaccine manufacturers will not honor their guarantee (e.g., covering treatment costs if a vaccinated dog still gets parvo) unless a licensed veterinarian administered the shot. The cost savings of DIY vaccination ($15-30 per shot) is not worth the risks.

What happens if I miss a puppy vaccination?

Missing a vaccination by a few days or even 1-2 weeks is usually not catastrophic — your puppy still retains some immunity from the previous dose. However, missing by more than 4 weeks can leave your puppy unprotected because maternal antibody levels decline over time, creating a "window of susceptibility" where the puppy has neither maternal nor vaccine-induced protection. If you miss a dose: do not restart the entire series. Contact your vet — they will typically give the missed dose as soon as possible and adjust the remaining schedule. For example, if the 12-week DHPP is missed until week 16, the vet may give it at week 16 and schedule the final booster 3-4 weeks later. Do NOT take your puppy to high-risk areas (dog parks, pet stores, sidewalks with unknown dog traffic) until the full series is complete, especially if a dose was delayed. The parvovirus can survive in soil for years, and an unvaccinated or partially vaccinated puppy is extremely vulnerable.

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Dog Vaccination Schedule

Get a personalized vaccination and deworming schedule for your dog based on WSAVA core vaccine guidelines.

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Key Knowledge

Core vs. Non-Core Vaccines

Core vaccines (DHPP + Rabies) are required for ALL dogs; non-core vaccines (Leptospirosis, Lyme, Bordetella) depend on region and lifestyle. Core vaccines are recommended for ALL dogs regardless of lifestyle or location: DHPP (Distemper, Hepatitis, Parvovirus, Parainfluenza) and Rabies. Non-core vaccines — Leptospirosis, Lyme Disease, Bordetella, Canine Influenza — depend on your dog's geographic location and exposure risk (outdoor access, boarding, wildlife contact).

Source: WSAVA Vaccination Guidelines (2024)

WSAVA Guidelines Explained

WSAVA recommends: puppy series at 6-8, 12, and 16 weeks; a 12-month booster; then core vaccine boosters every 3 years. The World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) publishes the most widely adopted global vaccination guidelines. They recommend: initial puppy series at 6-8, 12, and 16 weeks; a 12-month booster; then boosters every 3 years for core vaccines (DHPP). Rabies follows local legal requirements — annually in some regions, every 3 years in others.

Source: WSAVA Global Vaccination Guidelines

DHPP: What It Covers

DHPP is a 4-in-1 vaccine covering Distemper, Hepatitis, Parvovirus (91% fatal without treatment), and Parainfluenza. DHPP is the 4-in-1 core vaccine covering: Distemper (highly contagious, often fatal viral disease), Hepatitis (canine adenovirus causing liver damage), Parvovirus (severe gastrointestinal virus, 91% fatal without treatment), and Parainfluenza (respiratory infection, part of kennel cough complex). Every dog needs the full DHPP series.

Source: AAHA Canine Vaccination Guidelines

Vaccine Schedule by Age

Puppy DHPP series: 6-8, 12, and 16 weeks; Rabies at 14-16 weeks; 12-month booster; then core boosters every 3 years. 6-8 weeks: 1st DHPP. 10-12 weeks: 2nd DHPP + optional Bordetella/Leptospirosis (vet consult). 14-16 weeks: 3rd DHPP + Rabies (legal requirement). 12-16 months: DHPP booster + Rabies booster. Adult dogs: DHPP every 3 years, Rabies per local law (1-3 years), non-core vaccines annually if lifestyle warrants.

Source: AAHA / WSAVA Vaccination Guidelines

Data verified by petsMetrics using peer-reviewed veterinary sources. Citations: ASPCA, AVMA, AAFP. Last reviewed: 2026.

The Science Behind the Dog Vaccination Schedule

This schedule is built on WSAVA 2024 Global Vaccination Guidelines and AAHA Canine Vaccination Guidelines. The 3-dose puppy series (6-8, 12, 16 weeks) accounts for maternal antibody interference — antibodies from the mother's milk can neutralize vaccines given too early, which is why multiple doses with 3-4 week intervals are essential. The 12-month booster and subsequent 3-year intervals for core vaccines are based on duration-of-immunity studies showing long-lasting protection. Non-core vaccines are region-dependent: Leptospirosis is recommended in areas with standing water/wildlife, Lyme Disease in tick-endemic regions, Bordetella for dogs that board or attend daycare.

References: WSAVA Global Vaccination Guidelines (2024); AAHA Canine Vaccination Guidelines— via petsMetrics

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