--- title: Puppy Vaccine Schedule: Ready to Board at 16 Weeks url: https://happypawskennels.com/vaccines/puppy-vaccine-schedule/ 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/) - [Vaccines](https://happypawskennels.com/vaccines/) - Puppy vaccine schedule # Puppy vaccine schedule and boarding A puppy must be 16 weeks old before the first day of a stay at Happy Paws Kennels and must have all the vaccinations recommended for its age. The veterinary guidelines spread the first series of combination shots across the first 16 weeks, and your veterinarian sets the dates. [Book a stay](https://happypawskennels.propetware.com/customerLogin)[Call 707-678-6600](tel:+17076786600) Puppy owners often ask the day they can first board. The kennel's rule is about age and records, and the timing of each shot belongs to the vet. ## The kennel's rule Dogs and cats must be 16 weeks old before the first day of the stay and have received all the recommended vaccinations for their age. For dogs that means the required set: rabies, distemper/parvo and Bordetella. Canine influenza is recommended but not required. Records must be current through the end of the stay. The [puppy age guide](https://happypawskennels.com/guides/how-old-does-a-puppy-have-to-be-to-board/) and the [puppy boarding page](https://happypawskennels.com/dog-boarding/puppy-boarding/) cover the rest. ## How the guidelines frame the series The American Animal Hospital Association's 2022 canine guidelines describe the distemper/adenovirus/parvovirus series as at least three doses of a combination vaccine between 6 and 16 weeks of age, spaced 2 to 4 weeks apart, with a booster about a year after the series and later boosters at longer intervals. The AVMA's canine parvovirus page explains why: antibodies a puppy gets from its mother's milk can wear off before its own immune system is ready, and can interfere with its response to a vaccine, so a series of doses closes the gap. For most puppies the final dose in the series is given at 16 weeks of age or older. The AVMA adds that until the series is complete, owners should use caution about places where dogs gather, such as pet shops, parks, classes, day cares and kennels. ## Rabies and the law California Health and Safety Code section 121690 calls for rabies vaccination of dogs by a licensed veterinarian from 3 months of age, and for licensing from 4 months. A rabies certificate from your vet is the record the kennel needs. ## A planning example A puppy that turns 16 weeks old on a Saturday can start a stay the next day if all age-appropriate vaccines are on record and, if you choose the recommended canine influenza vaccine, the first dose is in place. Because the flu vaccine needs a booster 3 to 4 weeks after the first, ask your vet early how the shots will fit together. The [readiness checker](https://happypawskennels.com/tools/vaccine-readiness-checker/) helps. Please call 707-678-6600 to confirm for your pet. ### Sources (checked October 19, 2026) - [Happy Paws Kennels vaccination requirements](https://happypawskennels.com/vaccination-requirements/) - [AAHA 2022 Canine Vaccination Guidelines](https://www.aaha.org/resources/2022-aaha-canine-vaccination-guidelines/recommendations-for-core-and-noncore-canine-vaccines/) - [AVMA: Canine parvovirus](https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/pet-owners/petcare/canine-parvovirus) - [California Health and Safety Code section 121690](https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?sectionNum=121690.&lawCode=HSC) ### Before your first stay - [Vaccination records](https://happypawskennels.com/vaccination-requirements/) current through pick-up day - A signed [boarding agreement](https://happypawskennels.com/boarding-contract/) - Pets 16 weeks or older - [Bring nothing but your pet](https://happypawskennels.com/what-to-bring/) ### 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 - [Vaccination requirements](https://happypawskennels.com/vaccination-requirements/) - [Puppy boarding](https://happypawskennels.com/dog-boarding/puppy-boarding/) - [How old does a puppy have to be to board?](https://happypawskennels.com/guides/how-old-does-a-puppy-have-to-be-to-board/) - [How old does my puppy need to be?](https://happypawskennels.com/questions/how-old-does-my-puppy-need-to-be/) - [Adult dog vaccine schedule](https://happypawskennels.com/vaccines/adult-dog-vaccine-schedule/) - [Vaccine readiness checker](https://happypawskennels.com/tools/vaccine-readiness-checker/) ## 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 - [Adult dog vaccine schedule](https://happypawskennels.com/vaccines/adult-dog-vaccine-schedule/) - [Kitten vaccine schedule](https://happypawskennels.com/vaccines/kitten-vaccine-schedule/) - [Which vaccines does a cat need for boarding?](https://happypawskennels.com/vaccines/cat-vaccines-for-boarding/) - [How far ahead to vaccinate before a stay](https://happypawskennels.com/vaccines/timing-before-boarding/) - [Titer tests and boarding](https://happypawskennels.com/vaccines/titer-tests/) - [Rabies exemptions in California](https://happypawskennels.com/vaccines/vaccine-exemptions/) - [How to send vaccine records](https://happypawskennels.com/vaccines/sending-vaccine-records/) - [Dog licenses in Solano & Yolo counties](https://happypawskennels.com/vaccines/dog-licensing-solano-yolo/) 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/). ### How old must a puppy be to board at Happy Paws? At least 16 weeks before the first day of the stay, with all the vaccinations recommended for its age. ### Who sets my puppy's vaccine dates? Your veterinarian. The kennel only needs the record. ### Can a puppy board after the first canine flu dose? Yes. The vaccine is recommended rather than required, so a puppy is accepted after the initial dose or without it. If started, do not miss the booster. ### Does a puppy need the Bordetella vaccine? Yes, it is on the dog list. Ask your vet when to give it.