Read all of the articles in our Vaccines & Titers intro series here:
Vaccination Schedules
You can also visit our Vaccines & Titers topic page for a look at all of the articles in this category.
There are two main camps when it comes to dog vaccines: the traditional vaccine schedule and Dr. Dodd’s minimal vaccine protocol.
later start to puppy shots (9-10 weeks)
contains 2 vaccines
titer tests every 3 years to re-confirm immunity
earlier start to puppy shots (6-8 weeks)
contains 3-5 vaccines
re-vaccination every year regardless of immunity
mid-range start to puppy shots (8-9 weeks)
first dose contains 5 vaccines
titer tests instead of automatic yearly re-vaccination
We recommend a combination of these two schedules listed above – giving the MINIMUM number of vaccines needed to guarantee immunity over a lifetime, while vaccinating against multiple known diseases early on so that your puppy can be a social butterfly with minimal risk.
Here are links to additional information on pet vaccines.
Puppy and Kitten Vaccinations: Timing is Critical Explains maternal antibodies (the immunity puppies get through mom’s colostrum) and why we need to give more than one dose of a vaccine to puppies.
Puppy Vaccination Schedule and Socialization: Can They Go Together? A look at how to safely socialize puppies while minimizing vaccine exposure.
Dr. Dodds’ 4-Part Series on Over-Vaccination and Titer Testing 1. Vaccines: When Too Much of a Good Thing Turns Bad – weak immune system & over-active immune system 2. Part Two of Vaccines: When Too Much of a Good Thing Turns Bad – two types of vaccines (modified live vs. killed) 3. Avoid Unnecessary Vaccines with Titer Tests – what is a titer, and are there any downsides to titer testing? 4. Changing Vaccine Protocols – when to vaccinate vs. socialization; titers as an alternative to annual boosters; other alternatives to current vaccine practices
Different Vaccine Types and Advancements Very thorough but easy-to-understand article.
Dr. Dodds Rebuts Incorrect Vaccination Article “An article regarding vaccinations was inaccurately attributed to Dr. Dodds and has been circulating. Dr. Dodds reviewed the article, rebuts statements and corrected the vaccination protocol.”
Vaccine Issues & WSAVA Guidelines (2015-2017) Very well organized information on a variety of vaccine topics. A summary of the discussion at Dr. Dodds’ lectures on vaccine issues and guidelines for veterinarians in Israel.
AAHA Vaccination Guidelines 2017 for Dogs Review Includes a comparison of vaccine schedules and discussion of timing and titers.
Variables in Vaccinations of Dogs Some dogs may respond differently to vaccines.
Vaccinations (A Global Perspective) A discussion of vaccines from Dr. Ana Falk, who has lived in Ecuador and the USA.
Stray and Owner Surrendered Canines and Vaccines Rescue dog vaccination protocol. How should we vaccinate when we don’t know the dog’s medical history?
A Pilot Study: 1/2 Dose Vaccines for Small Dogs “For the past two years, I have conducted a pilot study on whether or not a half-dose distemper and parvovirus vaccine elicited enough immunity to these viruses in adult dogs weighing less than 12 pounds. I thank the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Foundation for supporting this study and am pleased to share the results with you. The full study results are published in the Journal of American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association and Animal Wellness. Additionally, please feel free to peruse the references at the bottom of this article.” – Dr. Dodds’