Bringing home a new puppy means vaccinations quickly become an important part of their early veterinary care. Puppies are particularly vulnerable to infectious diseases because their immune systems are still developing.

A typical puppy vaccination schedule begins at around 6 to 8 weeks of age and continues with boosters every few weeks until at least 16 weeks.

At Walker Lake Veterinary Centre, we create vaccination schedules based on your puppy’s age, health, previous vaccines and lifestyle.

If you have a new puppy in Edmonton, call us at (587) 786-6771 to book their first veterinary appointment.

Puppies need several vaccine appointments rather than one vaccination. Antibodies received from their mother can interfere with early vaccines, which is why boosters are given until the puppy is at least 16 weeks old.

Puppy Vaccination Schedule by Age

The exact timing may vary slightly depending on when your puppy receives their first vaccine and their previous medical history.

A typical schedule looks like this:

6–8 Weeks

Your puppy can usually receive their first core combination vaccine.

This commonly protects against:

Canine distemper
Canine adenovirus
Canine parvovirus
Parainfluenza, depending on the vaccine used

This combination may appear on your puppy’s records as DHPP, DAPP or DA2PP.

10–12 Weeks

Your puppy receives another dose of the core combination vaccine.

At this stage, your veterinarian may also begin other recommended vaccines depending on your puppy’s age and exposure risk.

These may include:

Leptospirosis
Bordetella
Lyme disease vaccine
Other lifestyle-based vaccines

14–16 Weeks

Another core combination booster is given to strengthen protection against distemper, adenovirus and parvovirus.

Rabies vaccination may also be given according to your puppy’s age, previous vaccination history and the vaccine product being used.

Around 6–12 Months

Your puppy will require follow-up boosters after completing the initial puppy series.

After this stage, the vaccination schedule transitions into an adult dog vaccination plan.

Why Do Puppies Need Multiple Vaccines?

Newborn puppies receive antibodies from their mother. These antibodies provide temporary protection during the first weeks of life.

However, they gradually decline.

The challenge is that maternal antibodies can also prevent a vaccine from producing a strong immune response. Veterinarians therefore cannot know exactly when an individual puppy becomes fully responsive to vaccination.

Giving several doses over the first few months helps ensure the puppy develops reliable protection as maternal immunity disappears.

One puppy vaccine does not provide complete protection. Continue the recommended vaccination series even if your puppy appears healthy.

What Vaccines Does a Puppy Need?

Distemper

Canine distemper is a serious viral disease that can affect the respiratory, digestive and nervous systems.

It can cause:

Fever
Coughing
Nasal or eye discharge
Vomiting and diarrhoea
Weakness
Muscle twitching
Seizures

Vaccination against distemper is considered essential for puppies.

Parvovirus

Parvovirus is particularly dangerous for young, unvaccinated puppies.

It can cause severe:

Vomiting
Bloody diarrhoea
Dehydration
Loss of appetite
Weakness

Parvovirus can survive in contaminated environments, so puppies can be exposed without directly meeting an infected dog.

Canine Adenovirus

Vaccination against canine adenovirus protects against infectious canine hepatitis.

The disease can affect the liver and other organs and can become severe in unvaccinated dogs.

Leptospirosis

Leptospirosis is a bacterial infection that can damage the kidneys and liver.

Dogs may be exposed through water or soil contaminated by the urine of infected animals, including wildlife and rodents.

Because exposure can occur even in urban environments, leptospirosis vaccination is now considered a core vaccination for dogs.

Rabies

Rabies is a fatal disease affecting the nervous system and can also infect humans.

Dogs can be exposed through contact with infected wildlife, including bats.

Your veterinarian will advise you when your puppy should receive their rabies vaccine and when boosters are required.

Lifestyle Vaccines for Puppies

Some vaccines depend more heavily on your puppy’s lifestyle and exposure risk.

Bordetella

The Bordetella vaccine helps protect against one of the organisms associated with kennel cough.

It may be particularly useful for puppies that will attend:

Puppy classes
Boarding kennels
Dog daycare
Grooming facilities
Dog parks
Multi-dog activities

Some facilities require proof of vaccination before allowing dogs to attend.

Lyme Disease

Lyme disease is spread by infected ticks.

Vaccination may be considered for puppies that regularly spend time in:

Wooded areas
Tall grass
Rural properties
Hiking areas
Locations with significant tick exposure

Vaccination should be combined with appropriate tick prevention.

When Can My Puppy Go Outside?

This is one of the most common questions new puppy owners ask.

Puppies need socialization, but they also need protection from infectious diseases while their vaccination series is incomplete.

Before your veterinarian confirms that your puppy has adequate protection, avoid high-risk environments such as:

Busy dog parks
Areas heavily used by unknown dogs
Shared water bowls
Contact with sick or unvaccinated dogs
Areas known to have had parvovirus contamination

This does not mean your puppy needs to remain completely isolated.

Safe socialization can include meeting healthy, fully vaccinated dogs you know, experiencing new sounds and environments safely, car rides, handling exercises and veterinarian-approved puppy classes.

What If My Puppy Misses a Vaccine?

Do not panic if a vaccination appointment is missed.

Contact your veterinarian and explain:

Your puppy’s age
Which vaccines they have already received
When the last vaccine was given

The veterinary team can determine the appropriate catch-up schedule.

Do not assume that the entire vaccination series needs to be restarted.

Are Puppy Vaccines Safe?

Most puppies tolerate vaccinations very well.

Temporary side effects may include:

Sleepiness
Mild soreness at the injection site
Reduced appetite
Mild fever
Temporary swelling

These usually improve within a day or two.

Serious reactions are uncommon.

Seek veterinary attention if your puppy develops difficulty breathing, facial swelling, repeated vomiting, collapse, severe weakness or widespread hives after vaccination.

What to Bring to Your Puppy’s First Vaccination Appointment

If available, bring:

Breeder or rescue vaccination records
Previous veterinary records
Deworming information
Current medications
Details about your puppy’s diet
Any health concerns you have noticed

This helps the veterinarian determine exactly which vaccinations are due rather than giving unnecessary repeat doses.

Vaccinations Are Only Part of Your Puppy’s First Vet Visits

Early puppy appointments are also important opportunities to discuss preventive care.

Your veterinarian may review:

Growth and body condition
Nutrition
Deworming
Flea and tick prevention
Heartworm prevention
Microchipping
Dental development
Behaviour and socialization
Spaying or neutering
Any breed-specific health concerns

Regular veterinary visits during puppyhood help establish a healthy foundation for adult life.

Have a new puppy? Walker Lake Veterinary Centre can create a vaccination and preventive-care schedule based on your puppy’s age, health and lifestyle. Call (587) 786-6771 or book online. We are located at 5109 22 Avenue SW in Southwest Edmonton.

Book Puppy Vaccinations in Edmonton

Walker Lake Veterinary Centre provides puppy vaccinations, wellness examinations and preventive care for families throughout Walker Lake, Summerside, Ellerslie, Heritage Valley and Southwest Edmonton.

Bring any vaccination records you received from your breeder, rescue or previous veterinarian, and our team will determine what your puppy needs next.

Call us at (587) 786-6771 or book an appointment online.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should a puppy get its first vaccination?

Most puppies begin their core vaccination series at approximately 6 to 8 weeks of age.

How many vaccination appointments does a puppy need?

Most puppies need several appointments, with core vaccines repeated every few weeks until at least 16 weeks of age.

Can my puppy go outside after the second vaccine?

Some activities may be appropriate, but protection may still be incomplete. Ask your veterinarian which environments are safe based on your puppy’s age and vaccination history.

Does my puppy need Bordetella?

It may be recommended if your puppy attends daycare, boarding, grooming, puppy classes or regularly mixes with other dogs.

What if I do not have my puppy’s vaccination records?

Book an appointment and provide whatever information you have. Your veterinarian can establish an appropriate vaccination schedule based on your puppy’s age and history.