The Importance of a Vet and Vaccination Schedule for Your Puppy
A Kansas City dog trainer understands how important your puppy’s health is to you. After all, you want them to be happy, healthy, and energetic for years to come. That’s why dog training experts suggest developing a regular vet and vaccination schedule for your pet. It’s essential to have them regularly examined by their vet to ensure that there is nothing wrong and keeping them updated on their vaccinations will also help with this.
At K.I.S.S. Dog Training, a leader for puppy training in Kansas City, we believe that dogs are only as good as their owners; that’s why we stick to our motto, “Keep it simple, stupid!” One of the simplest ways to keep your puppy healthy is to keep them up to date on their shots and regularly take them to the vet. That’s why we’ve compiled some information and tips on developing a vet and vaccination schedule for your puppy.
Ensure That Your Puppy Has Their Core Vaccinations
According to experts in dog training in Kansas City, your puppy must have their core vaccinations. These are the recommended vaccines for every dog, no matter where they live or their lifestyle. These vaccines include rabies and the DHPP vaccine, which protects your puppy from canine distemper, hepatitis, parvovirus, and parainfluenza.
Ask About Which Non-Core Vaccinations Your Puppy Needs
Experts in Kansas City dog training believe that your puppy also needs non-core vaccinations that your vet recommends. These vaccines are important but not necessarily mandatory; it just depends on your dog’s lifestyle. If your dog spends a lot of time by the water, your vet might recommend the leptospirosis vaccine so they don’t get sick from drinking contaminated water. Other non-core vaccines include:
- Lyme disease
- Canine influenza
- Bordetella
- Canine coronavirus
Research About Common Dog Ailments
A trusted dog trainer in Kansas City might suggest researching what could make your dog sick, so you can understand how to best help them. There are multiple trustworthy information guides on the Internet, including those offered by the CDC and AKC.
Work Closely with Your Dogs Trainer and Vet
It’s crucial to work closely with your puppy’s vet and dog trainer when scheduling their vaccinations. We like to call this the Training Trinity, and we believe that when everyone is pulling in the same direction, results come much faster. The closer the vet, owner, and trainer work together, the more likely you will be to have better and more consistent results.
What Your Puppy’s Vaccination Schedule Should Look Like
Below is a vaccination schedule recommended by a leading dog behavior specialist in Kansas City.
6-8 Weeks
When your puppy is between six and eight weeks old, they should begin receiving their DHPP vaccine and should receive it every four weeks until they are seventeen weeks old. This vaccine requires a booster every one to two years. This is also when your puppy should receive their Bordetella vaccine.
10-12 Weeks
When your puppy is between ten and twelve weeks old, your vet recommends giving them the Influenza, Lyme Disease, and Leptospirosis vaccinations.
12 Weeks
Once your puppy reaches twelve weeks, they need to receive their Rabies shot. This is required in most states, and a booster is needed one year after their initial shot. Some states require either a one-year or three-year booster shot after the first two.
12-16 Months
Once your puppy has reached their first birthday, many vets recommend having them vaccinated against Canine Coronavirus.
Are You Looking for a Trusted Kansas City Dog Trainer?
K.I.S.S. Dog Training has been a leader in puppy training in Kansas City for over ten years. We take pride in strengthening the relationships between owners and their dogs. We believe it’s essential for humans to understand what their dog needs and the best ways to help them get it.
Contact us online or give us a call at 913-269-7595 to partner with a trainer. We are located in Shawnee and service Overland Park, Olathe, and the Kansas City metro area.
