--- title: How Old Must a Puppy Be to Board? | Happy Paws Kennels url: https://happypawskennels.com/guides/how-old-does-a-puppy-have-to-be-to-board/ business: Happy Paws Kennels address: 6677 Midway Road, Dixon, CA 95620 phone: 707-678-6600 hours: drop-off and pick-up every day 7:30-11:30 AM and 2:00-5:00 PM type: Dog and cat boarding kennel on about 10 country acres; caring for pets in Dixon since 1971 rates: 2026 rates, effective for reservations made on or after Jan 1, 2026 (dogs from $52 a night, cats $35 a night) --- - [Home](https://happypawskennels.com/) - [Guides](https://happypawskennels.com/guides/) - How old does a puppy have to be to board? # How old does a puppy have to be to board? At Happy Paws a puppy must be at least 16 weeks old before the first day of the stay and have all the vaccinations recommended for that age. The wait gives the vaccine series time to build protection before the puppy meets a kennel. [Book a stay](https://happypawskennels.propetware.com/customerLogin)[Call 707-678-6600](tel:+17076786600) 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](https://happypawskennels.com/dog-boarding/puppy-boarding/) and the [puppy vaccine schedule](https://happypawskennels.com/vaccines/puppy-vaccine-schedule/) for details. ### Sources (checked October 19, 2026) - [Happy Paws Kennels vaccination requirements](https://happypawskennels.com/vaccination-requirements/) - [American Kennel Club, puppy socialization](https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/training/puppy-socialization/) - [AVMA JAVMA News, behavior society supports early puppy socialization](https://www.avma.org/News/JAVMANews/Pages/081001c.aspx) - [Happy Paws Kennels, things to know](https://happypawskennels.com/things-to-know/) ### 2026 nightly rates - First Class kennel $72 - Business Class kennel $59 - Economy Class kennel $52 - Cat condo $35 All-inclusive: food, medications and walks. 2026 rates, effective for reservations made on or after Jan 1, 2026. [All 2026 rates](https://happypawskennels.com/rates/) ### Visit or call 6677 Midway Road, Dixon, CA 95620 [707-678-6600](tel:+17076786600) | Drop-off and pick-up, every day | 7:30 to 11:30 AM and 2:00 to 5:00 PM | | --- | --- | | Tours, every day (no appointment) | 9:00 to 11:00 AM and 2:00 to 4:00 PM | [Book a stay](https://happypawskennels.propetware.com/customerLogin) ### Related - [Puppy boarding](https://happypawskennels.com/dog-boarding/puppy-boarding/) - [How old does my puppy need to be?](https://happypawskennels.com/questions/how-old-does-my-puppy-need-to-be/) - [Puppy vaccine schedule](https://happypawskennels.com/vaccines/puppy-vaccine-schedule/) - [Vaccination requirements](https://happypawskennels.com/vaccination-requirements/) - [Puppy day care](https://happypawskennels.com/guides/puppy-day-care/) - [Canine influenza](https://happypawskennels.com/vaccines/canine-influenza/) ## Is my pet ready? Who is staying? Dog Cat Both Pick-up date Dog vaccines (three required, one recommended) Rabies Good until Distemper/Parvo (DHPP) Good until Bordetella (kennel cough) Good until Canine Influenza (H3N2 - H3N8) - recommended, not required Good until Cat vaccines (required) Rabies Good until FVRCP Good until Tick each vaccine your pet has had. Add the date it runs out to check it against your pick-up day. This checks our boarding requirements, not your pet's health. Your veterinarian decides which vaccines your pet should have and when. Upload records to your [ProPetware account](https://happypawskennels.propetware.com/customerLogin), email them, or bring a copy at check-in. ## Read next - [Boarding a dog on medication](https://happypawskennels.com/guides/boarding-a-dog-on-medication/) - [Boarding a diabetic dog or cat](https://happypawskennels.com/guides/boarding-a-diabetic-pet/) - [Heat stroke in dogs](https://happypawskennels.com/guides/dog-heat-stroke/) - [How hot is too hot for dogs? Dixon summer numbers](https://happypawskennels.com/guides/how-hot-is-too-hot-for-dogs/) - [Hot pavement and paws](https://happypawskennels.com/guides/hot-pavement-and-paws/) - [Dogs in cold valley nights and tule fog](https://happypawskennels.com/guides/dogs-in-cold-weather/) - [Foxtails and dogs](https://happypawskennels.com/guides/foxtails/) - [Valley fever in dogs](https://happypawskennels.com/guides/valley-fever-in-dogs/) Answers ## Questions people ask Still have a question? Call [707-678-6600](tel:+17076786600) (every day 7:30-11:30 AM and 2-5 PM) or see the [boarding FAQ](https://happypawskennels.com/faq/). ### Can a 12-week-old puppy board? Not at Happy Paws. Pets must be 16 weeks old before the first day of the stay. ### Do puppies need the flu vaccine? No. Canine influenza is recommended but not required. If given, the first dose is accepted with the booster due three to four weeks later. ### Can a puppy go to day care earlier? Please call 707-678-6600 to confirm the age and vaccine requirements for day care.