Puppy vaccine and deworming schedule: a typical timeline to take to your vet
Updated October 31, 2026 · 2 min read · by the PupCurve editorial team
Your vet sets the actual schedule. It depends on where you live, what's circulating, and what the puppy has had already. But it helps to walk in knowing the usual shape, so here it is.
The shape of it
The American Animal Hospital Association's 2022 canine vaccination guidelines call distemper, adenovirus (hepatitis) and parvovirus the core vaccines for every puppy. The first dose is usually given between 6 and 8 weeks. Boosters follow every 2 to 4 weeks until the puppy is at least 16 weeks old, because the antibodies puppies get from their mother's milk can block the vaccine, and nobody can tell exactly when they fade. A booster is then due at 6 to 12 months.
Rabies is a separate vaccine, usually given at 12 weeks or older, with timing set by local law.
A typical timeline
| Age | What's usually done |
|---|---|
| 2, 4, 6 and 8 weeks | Deworming (roundworm and hookworm treatment), often by the breeder |
| 6 to 8 weeks | First core vaccine; first wellness exam |
| 10 to 12 weeks | Second core vaccine |
| 14 to 16 weeks | Third core vaccine, and a final dose at 16 weeks or later if your vet advises it; rabies as local law requires |
| From about 8 weeks | Monthly flea, tick and heartworm prevention, depending on region and weight |
| 6 to 12 months | Booster visit; talk about spay or neuter timing |
The Companion Animal Parasite Council recommends treating puppies for roundworms and hookworms at 2, 4, 6 and 8 weeks, then moving to a monthly broad-spectrum preventive that also covers heartworm.
Questions to ask
- Which optional (non-core) vaccines does my puppy need here, such as leptospirosis, Bordetella or Lyme?
- When is it safe to take the puppy to puppy class and public places?
- Which flea, tick and heartworm preventive suits my puppy's weight and my region?
- What does the schedule look like if we start late, or if the breeder already gave some doses?
Socialising during the vaccine series
The American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior says the sensitive period for socialisation runs from about 3 weeks to 12 to 14 weeks, and that it's better to start before vaccines are finished, with care. That usually means well-run puppy classes, friends' vaccinated, healthy dogs, carrying the puppy through busy places, and avoiding dog parks and places with unknown dogs. Ask your vet to weigh the local risk.
Keeping the records
Keep the vaccine card, the deworming dates, and the weights in one place. The Pro tracker has a schedule you can tick off as visits happen, sends reminders before each one, and makes a PDF summary for the vet or a buyer.
Questions people ask
When should a puppy get its first vaccine?
Usually between 6 and 8 weeks, according to AAHA's 2022 canine vaccination guidelines, with boosters every 2 to 4 weeks until at least 16 weeks.
How often should I deworm a puppy?
CAPC recommends treating at 2, 4, 6 and 8 weeks, then monthly with a broad-spectrum preventive.
Can my puppy go outside before all vaccines?
Your vet can advise for your area. Many suggest safe, controlled socialisation, such as puppy classes and carrying the puppy in busy places, while avoiding dog parks.
When is the rabies vaccine given?
Usually at 12 weeks or older, depending on local law. Ask your vet.
Sources
This guide is general information, not veterinary advice. If you're worried about a puppy, call your vet. In an emergency, go to the nearest emergency clinic.