Dear Puppy: Between the ages of six- to sixteen-weeks-old it seems like the puppy is going to the veterinarian every other week. Well, that’s just about right. During the puppy’s early life those vaccines will take over the immunity from disease the puppy got from its mother. This immunity was given to the pup in the dam’s milk which contained antibodies to disease.

Vaccination Schedule

When I first take my puppies to the vet, they are six-weeks-old and receive their first shots - which I call temporary shots - which include vaccines against distemper and parvo, two nasty puppy diseases. Then I will bring them back for their first in a series of three boosters.

Your pup from the shelter most likely got it’s first “combo” shot from the shelter’s veterinarian. Your pup will now need a second booster shot of the same “vaccine cocktail” at 12-weeks and another at 16-weeks-old. In between the last two boosters your vet may want to give a rabies vaccination. State law will determine by what date the puppy will need its rabies certificate. In Connecticut she must have her vaccine by the time she is six-months-old. This age coincides with the mandatory age for dog licensing.

You can ask your vet about what other shots your puppy may need depending on what part of the country you live in. In the northeast, two Lyme boosters are usually administered between 16-and 20-weeks-old. In addition, Corona and Kennel Cough may be added, but ask you vet for advice.

Puppy’s First Visit

There are a few routines you can do with your puppy to help make her first trip to the vet an enjoyable one. These few steps will also help make sure the next few visits are equally happy.

The first time you take your pup to the vet do so about a week before the actual visit. Take her to the vet’s office and just bring her into the waiting area and let her sniff around and meet people. Let her get used to the smells, sights and sounds. Praise her for her courage and reward her with treats just for the experience. If you can time the treats for instances when she is wagging her tail – even better. After this visit bring her home. This way she won’t have the memory of the first vet visit being all about needles, shots and pain. It will also give her the opportunity to get used to car travel at an early age.

When you go back for the real thing, bring lots of yummy treats and her favorite toy. Play with her in the waiting room before her visit. Once she is with the vet instill confidence in her by praising when she is good and ignoring any timid or shy behavior. Once she has got her shots, give her treats. Your vet will be able to help you determine when the best time is for treats and praise. Once you are back in the waiting room, give her the favorite toy and play a little together before heading out to the car.

Follow this routine for each visit and she will look forward to the vet’s office. Don’t forget to take her other places in the car as well so she doesn’t think the only time she goes in the car it means going to the vet.

Lisa Peterson, a long-time breeder of Norwegian Elkhounds, is the Director of Club Communications at the American Kennel Club. Contact her at ask@lisa-peterson.com  or Dogma Publishing, P.O. Box 307, Newtown, CT 06470.