When should my puppy get its first shots?

The core DHPP series usually starts at 6 to 8 weeks of age. Your vet may also begin bordetella around the same time depending on exposure.

How many rounds of puppy shots are needed?

Most puppies get three DHPP rounds, spaced two to four weeks apart, finishing at 14 to 16 weeks. Rabies is typically given between 12 and 16 weeks.

Why does a puppy need multiple doses instead of one?

Antibodies from the mother can block a vaccine, and the timing they fade differs per puppy. A spaced series covers that unpredictable window.

When is the rabies vaccine given?

Rabies is usually given between 12 and 16 weeks of age and is legally required in most places, with a booster about one year later.

What happens if I miss a dose?

A missed or delayed dose can leave a puppy unprotected. Ask your vet promptly, since the series may need to be resumed or restarted depending on the gap.

When do puppies need their first adult booster?

Most puppies get a booster around 12 to 16 months of age, after which core vaccines often move to a one to three year schedule.

Are puppy vaccines safe?

Most puppies tolerate them well with mild, short-lived soreness or tiredness. Serious reactions are rare. Contact your vet if you see swelling, hives or breathing trouble.

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Puppy Vaccination Schedule: A Complete 2026 Guide

2026-06-27 · 7 min read

Bringing home a new puppy is exciting, but the first few months come with a tight vaccination timeline that protects your dog from deadly, preventable diseases. This 2026 guide walks through exactly which shots a puppy needs, when each one is due, and how to keep the whole series on track using a free vaccine tracker.

Note: This is general educational information, not veterinary advice. Vaccine timing varies by region, lifestyle and local disease risk. Always confirm your puppy's exact schedule with your veterinarian.

Why puppies need a series of shots

Newborn puppies get temporary protection from antibodies in their mother's milk. That protection fades over the first several weeks, but the exact timing differs for every puppy and cannot be measured at home. While maternal antibodies are still present, they can block a vaccine from working. To cover this unpredictable window, vets give a series of vaccines spaced a few weeks apart rather than a single shot.

This is why skipping or stretching out doses is risky. A puppy may look fully vaccinated after one shot but still be unprotected if maternal antibodies blocked that dose.

The week-by-week puppy vaccination schedule

6 to 8 weeks

The first round usually starts at 6 to 8 weeks of age. The core vaccine given here is DHPP, which protects against distemper, hepatitis (adenovirus), parvovirus and parainfluenza. Parvovirus alone is a leading killer of unvaccinated puppies, so this first dose matters even though boosters are still required.

Depending on your area and your puppy's exposure, your vet may also start bordetella (kennel cough) here, especially before puppy classes, grooming or boarding.

10 to 12 weeks

The second DHPP booster is typically given at 10 to 12 weeks. This is also the common window to begin leptospirosis coverage if your puppy will be around standing water, wildlife, rural areas or urban rodents. Leptospirosis is bacterial, can spread to humans, and usually requires two initial doses two to four weeks apart.

14 to 16 weeks

The final puppy DHPP booster lands at 14 to 16 weeks. This last dose is critical because it is the one most likely to take effect after maternal antibodies have fully faded. Rabies is also given around this stage, usually between 12 and 16 weeks, and is legally required in most places.

Quick reference timeline

6 to 8 weeks: DHPP (dose 1), optional bordetella
10 to 12 weeks: DHPP (dose 2), leptospirosis (dose 1, lifestyle dependent)
14 to 16 weeks: DHPP (dose 3), rabies, leptospirosis (dose 2)
12 to 16 months: First adult boosters for DHPP and rabies

Non-core and lifestyle vaccines

Beyond the core series, your vet may recommend extras based on where you live and how your puppy will spend its time. Common non-core options include bordetella, leptospirosis, canine influenza, and Lyme disease vaccine in tick-heavy regions. These are not one-size-fits-all, which is why an honest conversation about your puppy's daily life matters more than a generic checklist.

What about boosters after the puppy series?

Finishing the puppy series is not the end. Most puppies need a booster roughly one year after the final shots, around 12 to 16 months of age. After that, core vaccines like DHPP and rabies often move to a one to three year schedule depending on the product and local law. Lifestyle vaccines such as bordetella and lepto are usually annual.

How to avoid missing a dose

Because the puppy schedule is dense and the gaps between doses are short, missed appointments are the most common reason puppies fall behind. A few habits that help:

Record the exact date of every shot, not just the month.
Schedule the next visit before leaving the clinic.
Set reminders a few days early so you have time to book.
Keep one running record instead of scattered paper receipts.

This is exactly what a free vaccine tracker is built for. You enter your puppy's birth date and shots, and it maps out the remaining schedule with reminders so nothing slips. If you ever change vets, move, or board your dog, you have one clean record ready to share.

Side effects and safety

Most puppies handle vaccines well. Mild soreness, low energy or a small lump at the injection site for a day or two is normal. Serious reactions are rare but possible, so watch for facial swelling, hives, vomiting or trouble breathing and contact your vet right away if they appear. Scheduling visits earlier in the day gives you time to observe your puppy afterward.

The bottom line

A puppy's first four months set up a lifetime of protection. Start the core DHPP series at 6 to 8 weeks, finish it by 14 to 16 weeks, add rabies and any lifestyle vaccines your vet recommends, then plan the one-year boosters. Stay organized, confirm every date with your vet, and let a tracker carry the schedule for you.