Sixteen weeks is about four months. It is also the point where most puppies have finished their core shots, so the rule and the vaccine schedule line up.
The rule, in plain terms
Dogs and cats must be 16 weeks old before the first day of the stay. The puppy also needs records showing vaccines that are right for its age, and the records must stay current through pick-up day. Boarding also requires rabies, distemper/parvo and Bordetella; the flu vaccine is recommended rather than required; if given, it is accepted after the first dose, with the booster three to four weeks later. Please call 707-678-6600 if your puppy is close to the cut-off date.
Why vaccines set the timing
A puppy's early shots are given in a series, and protection is not complete until the series is finished. The AKC says most puppies finish their key vaccines at about 12 to 16 weeks and recommends waiting for your veterinarian to say public outings are safe. Dog parks, in the AKC's guidance, should wait until 7 to 10 days after the full series. A kennel is a shared space, so the same caution applies.
Social learning matters too
The AKC points out that the first three months are the key period for socializing a puppy, and the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior supports early socialization alongside vaccination. That means you should not keep your puppy home until 16 weeks. Meet calm, vaccinated dogs and new people, ride in the car, and ask your veterinarian which settings are safe.
Planning a first stay
- Count back from your trip: 16 weeks old on the first day, not on the day you book.
- Ask your vet to schedule the recommended canine influenza booster three to four weeks after the first dose.
- Pick a kennel size with room; Economy suits a small or medium puppy.
- Try a few hours of day care first, at $7 an hour up to $38 on the 2026 rates, once age and vaccines allow.
- Bring food in cups if your puppy eats a special diet.
What the stay looks like
The puppy has an indoor/outdoor run with a Kuranda bed and blankets, heated in winter and air-conditioned in summer. Walks are included. See puppy boarding and the puppy vaccine schedule for details.