Sugarbear

Puppy Vaccination & Socialization Schedule

7 Weeks of Age

At 7 weeks of age Our Veterinarian has administered:
DHPP (a.k.a. "Parvo" or "Distemper shot") Combination shot
Protects against Distemper, Adenovirus, Parainfluenza, and Parvo.

Your puppy can usually go and do the following after their 7 week vaccination:
Meet some (not all) other dogs: A puppy can start to meet other KNOWN and healthy
puppies and adult dogs at this point. Taking them to a friend’s house or bringing
them into your home are both a good way to help them meet other dogs.

Avoid setting your puppy down at/on: Sidewalks, parks, pet stores, daycare, and other
areas/settings popular with large numbers of unknown dogs.

Socialization visits/Meeting new people: During this time focus on letting your puppy
meet as many new people as possible. Try to introduce them to people of different
ages and dress styles. Carrying them in areas where dogs are not frequently seen
is a good way to socialize your puppy without excessive risk of contagious dog
diseases. Home Depot, Lowes, Academy, Hobby Lobby, and others all allow dogs.

9–10 Weeks of Age

 2nd DHPP  Bordetell (a.k.a. "Kennel Cough")  Canine Influenza Virus (a.k.a. “Dog Flu”)— Optional, your veterinarian will recommend it if dog flu outbreaks have been seen in your area. Where puppy can go / do after this vaccine visit:  Start puppy classes: One week after their DHPP and Bordetella vaccines your puppy can begin attending puppy socialization classes. However, the facility needs to be clean and all pups there need to have also received their first veterinary administered vaccine and deworming. Even though they’re not fully vaccinated at this time it is essential for puppies to be exposed to as many new sights, sounds, people, and other puppies as possible before they’re 12 weeks old, so a safe environment like a puppy class is a great opportunity. 12–14 weeks of age By now your pup's maternal immunity is likely starting to lessen and their own immune system is become more developed. Their booster shots at this visit are important to build their immunity and to help protect them from these diseases. What vaccines a puppy might get:  3rd DHPP  Booster for Brodetella or Flu vaccine – If recommended by your veterinarian Where puppy can go / what puppy can do after this vaccine visit:  Play with "unknown dogs": Following this visit, a puppy can usually begin to expand their circle of friends to include unknown dogs (i.e., ones you would meet on a walk), so long as they aren’t too many in number at once and they are not showing visible signs of disease and poor health.  Visit more places: You should be able to walk with more ease on popular sidewalks, avoiding obvious dirty/soiled areas.  Still avoid: Doggie daycare centers and fields/parks (especially high traffic dog parks). 16 weeks of age What vaccines a puppy might get:  Final DHPP  Rabies Where puppy can go / what puppy can do after this vaccine visit:  Freedom! One (1) week after this final puppy vaccine visit, most pups have enough vaccine protection against the common conditions of dogs to be able to get a full groom and go to the dog park, doggie daycare, and other places where large groups of unknown dogs frequent and congregate. Puppy shots don’t last for life! When a puppy is finished with their initial “puppy shot” series, they’re not completely done with vaccines. Yearly booster vaccinations could be needed throughout your dog’s life. The frequency and types of vaccine boosters your dog will need throughout their life is influenced by their “lifestyle,” where you live and travel to with them, how common certain diseases are in your area and at different times of year, and a host of other factors. For some dogs and for some conditions, titers (blood tests measuring the level of antibodies in your dog's system) may help to determine vaccination intervals and may be preferable. This is a discussion to have with your vet.
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