Dog vaccination schedule generator

Which vaccines does my dog need?

The American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) splits dog vaccines into two groups. Core vaccines are for every dog, whatever its lifestyle, unless there's a medical reason not to. Lifestyle (noncore) vaccines depend on where your dog lives, travels and mixes with other dogs. Since AAHA's 2024 update, leptospirosis sits in the core group.

Puppy vaccination schedule by age

Here is the schedule the generator builds for a puppy that starts at 8 weeks with a visit every 3 weeks and no lifestyle vaccines. Visits 2 to 4 weeks apart all follow AAHA's guidance; the generator lets you pick your vet's spacing.

The 4 DAPP doses are one combination injection each time. Lepto starts at 12 weeks or later, as AAHA advises, so here it lands at the 14-week visit. Rabies goes on the final puppy visit; your vet may give it any time from 12 weeks.

Why do puppies need so many shots?

A puppy is born with antibodies from its mother. They protect it for the first weeks, but they also block the vaccine. AAHA notes that these maternal antibodies against distemper are usually gone by 12 to 14 weeks, and against parvovirus they can last 13 to 15 weeks or longer. Nobody knows the exact week for a given puppy, so the shots are repeated every 2 to 4 weeks until the puppy is at least 16 weeks old. In areas with a lot of parvo or distemper, AAHA says a last dose at 18 to 20 weeks may be better.

The first booster mops up any puppy whose maternal antibodies were still blocking the 16-week shot. AAHA puts it within a year of the last puppy dose. The World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) prefers to give it at 26 weeks, rather than waiting until 12 to 16 months, so those few puppies aren't left unprotected for months. Both options are in the generator.

When does a puppy get the rabies shot?

Every licensed rabies vaccine in the US is labelled for puppies from 3 months (12 weeks) old. AAHA recommends a booster one year after the first dose, whatever the puppy's age at that first shot. After that, the interval is 1 or 3 years depending on the vaccine and on your state or local law, which also sets the minimum age. If you're planning travel abroad, the rabies date matters for paperwork; the pet travel requirements tool covers the rules by country.

Does my dog need Bordetella, flu or Lyme vaccines?

• Bordetella (kennel cough): AAHA's risk factors are close contact with coughing dogs, boarding kennels, daycare, dog shows, shelters, grooming salons and dog parks. The nose-drop version is a single dose with a yearly booster.
• Canine influenza: recommended when flu is circulating in your area or a kennel requires it, against both the H3N8 and H3N2 strains. Two doses 2 to 4 weeks apart; start 4 weeks before a kennel or daycare stay.
• Lyme disease: for dogs that live in or travel to areas where black-legged (deer) ticks and Lyme are common. Two doses 2 to 4 weeks apart, labelled from 8 weeks old. Tick prevention still matters; see the puppy deworming and parasite schedule.

My dog is older and has no vaccine records

A rescue or rehomed dog over 16 weeks with no paperwork gets a short starter course: two DAPP doses 2 to 4 weeks apart, two lepto doses 2 to 4 weeks apart, and one rabies shot. Boosters follow a year later. AAHA's rule of thumb for unknown histories is simple: when in doubt, vaccinate. Choose "Adult, no records" in the generator and enter the first visit date.

For older dogs, vaccines are only one part of the yearly check. The senior dog health checklist lists the rest, and the vet cost calculator helps you budget for the visits.