Dog vaccination schedule for the US: AVMA-aligned guide for puppies and adults

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US dog vaccination falls into core vaccines (universally recommended for all dogs) and non-core vaccines (recommended based on lifestyle and risk). The AAHA 2022 guidelines update is the current US reference. Most adult dogs receive DHPP boosters at 3-year intervals after the initial puppy series, and rabies at intervals set by state law (1 or 3 years). Over-vaccination concerns have led to more individualized protocols; under-vaccination concerns remain serious because of regional outbreak risk.

Core vaccines: required for all US dogs

Rabies

Legally required in nearly all US states for dogs over 3-4 months old. Required for boarding, grooming, daycare, travel.

• First dose: 12-16 weeks.
• Booster: 1 year after initial dose.
• Subsequent: every 1 or 3 years depending on state law and vaccine label.

States vary on the interval. California allows 3-year rabies; some states require annual. Always check your state's specific requirement.

Distemper, Adenovirus type 2, Parainfluenza, Parvovirus (DHPP or DAPP)

The "core combo" vaccine. Protects against four life-threatening canine viruses.

Puppy series:

• 6-8 weeks: first dose.
• 10-12 weeks: second dose.
• 14-16 weeks: third dose (this is the most important; the puppy's maternal immunity is gone by 16 weeks, so this dose ensures protection).
• 1 year after puppy series: booster.
• Subsequent: every 3 years per AAHA 2022 guidelines.

Some veterinarians still recommend annual DHPP; recent guidelines have moved to every-3-years for most adult dogs.

Leptospirosis (in many areas, now considered core)

Leptospirosis is a bacterial disease transmitted by wildlife urine. Highly zoonotic (can transmit to humans). Geographic risk varies but it has spread across most US regions.

• First dose: 12-16 weeks.
• Booster: 2-4 weeks later.
• Annual: yes, leptospirosis requires annual revaccination (unlike DHPP).

Considered "core" by many US clinics now, especially in regions with documented leptospirosis cases (most of the Northeast, Midwest, Southeast, parts of California).

Non-core vaccines: recommended based on lifestyle

Bordetella ("kennel cough")

Recommended for dogs that:

• Attend daycare, boarding, dog parks, group training.
• Are show or competition dogs.
• Live in multi-dog households.

Administered intranasally or orally. Booster annually, or every 6 months in high-exposure dogs.

Canine influenza (H3N2, H3N8)

Recommended for dogs that frequent boarding, daycare, dog shows. Outbreaks occur regionally in the US (recent significant outbreaks in 2015-2016 and 2023-2024).

• Two-dose initial series, 2-4 weeks apart.
• Annual booster.

Lyme disease

Recommended for dogs in Lyme-endemic regions: Northeast, Upper Midwest, Pacific Northwest. Also depends on tick exposure (rural, wooded, outdoor lifestyle).

• Two-dose initial series.
• Annual booster.

Rattlesnake vaccine (Crotalus atrox)

Recommended only in regions with significant rattlesnake exposure: Southwest US, Texas, parts of California. Reduces severity of rattlesnake bite but does not eliminate need for emergency antivenom care.

Coronavirus

Largely discontinued by most US clinics. The disease is mild and self-limiting; vaccine evidence is weak.

Giardia

Largely discontinued by most US clinics. Vaccine effectiveness is questionable.

Puppy series, the standard US protocol

The standard puppy protocol followed by most US veterinarians:

Age	Vaccines
6-8 weeks	DHPP #1
10-12 weeks	DHPP #2, Leptospirosis #1, Bordetella (oral)
14-16 weeks	DHPP #3, Rabies, Leptospirosis #2, Lyme #1 (if applicable)
17-18 weeks	Lyme #2 (if applicable)
1 year	DHPP booster, Rabies booster, Lepto booster, Bordetella booster, Lyme booster

Then adult schedule kicks in.

Adult schedule

For a healthy adult dog (1-7 years), in most US contexts:

Annual visit	Tasks
Annual exam	Physical, heartworm test, fecal, weight check
Annual or per state	Rabies (1 or 3 year vaccine per state)
Every 3 years	DHPP
Annual	Leptospirosis (in endemic areas)
Annual	Bordetella (if at-risk lifestyle)
Annual	Canine influenza (if at-risk lifestyle)
Annual	Lyme (in endemic areas)
Year-round	Heartworm preventive (monthly)
Year-round	Flea/tick preventive (monthly or as indicated)

Senior dogs

Once a dog reaches senior status (7+ for large breeds, 9+ for small):

• Continue core vaccines unless contraindicated by health status (chronic disease, immunosuppression).
• Consider titers for DHPP: bloodwork that measures antibody levels. If titers are high, the booster can sometimes be skipped.
• Always continue rabies (legally required and crucial for senior dogs that may not be able to handle the disease).
• Discuss non-core vaccines with your vet; cost-benefit changes in senior dogs.

Titer testing

Titer testing measures antibody levels in the blood. Used to assess whether a dog needs a booster or already has immunity.

• Useful for: DHPP in adult dogs to extend booster intervals.
• Not useful for: rabies (legally requires the actual vaccine, not titer-based exemption in most states).
• Cost: $50-150 per test.

Some dogs maintain protective DHPP titers for years; others lose them faster. Titer testing personalizes the schedule.

Allergic reactions

Vaccine reactions occur in approximately 1 in 200 doses, ranging from mild (lethargy, soreness at injection site) to serious (anaphylaxis, facial swelling, vomiting).

If your dog has had a vaccine reaction:

• Note which vaccine and which manufacturer.
• Pre-medicate with Benadryl or steroids before future vaccines (per vet protocol).
• Space vaccines further apart if multiple are needed.
• Consider titer-based approaches for those vaccines if appropriate.

Serious reactions to rabies vaccine are rare but documented. A veterinarian can sometimes write an exemption letter for medically compromised dogs; state acceptance varies.

What to check

1. Whether your dog's rabies vaccine is current per your state's requirement.
2. Whether your puppy is completing the full 3-dose DHPP series (the 14-16 week dose is the most important).
3. Whether your lifestyle warrants non-core vaccines (Bordetella, Lyme, influenza).
4. Whether you have considered titer testing for your adult dog instead of automatic boosters.
5. Whether your senior dog's protocol is being adjusted for age and health status.
6. Whether you have vaccine records accessible (especially for boarding, travel, emergency clinic visits).