Puppies need two vaccinations: the first at around 8 weeks old and the second at 12 weeks. With the vaccines we use at Whisker & Woof, your puppy can go out for walks one week after the second jab, at around 13 weeks old. A first booster follows at 12 to 15 months, and then they move on to yearly boosters.

Your puppy vaccination schedule

Every puppy’s plan is tailored at their first visit, but for most puppies it looks like this:

Want your puppy out sooner? We can split the second vaccination into two parts. Your puppy has the distemper, hepatitis and parvovirus part earlier, and the leptospirosis part at 12 weeks. That means they can start socialising sooner, during the weeks that matter most for their confidence. Ask us about it at the first visit, and we’ll give you exact dates.

When can my puppy go outside?

Your puppy can go for walks one week after their second vaccination when vaccinated here, which is usually at around 13 weeks old. If you choose the split second vaccination, they can start socialising sooner, and we’ll give you the exact date.

The wait isn’t the same everywhere. It depends on the vaccine brand, and some brands need two to four weeks. If your puppy was vaccinated somewhere else, follow that vet’s advice, or ring us with the vaccine name from their card and we’ll check. We’ll always give you an exact date at the second appointment, so you’re not left guessing.

Until then, avoid pavements, parks, public grass and anywhere unknown dogs go. Parvovirus can live in the ground for months, and it’s most dangerous to puppies.

What can my puppy do before they’re fully vaccinated?

Quite a lot. The weeks up to around 14 weeks old are your puppy’s most important socialisation window. What they see and hear now shapes how confident they’ll be for life, so waiting at home isn’t the answer. You just need to keep their paws off risky ground.

• Carry them out. Take them in your arms or a sling to see buses, bikes, shops, children and the school run. Sit on a bench and let the world go by.
• Use your garden. Your own garden is fine, as long as unvaccinated or unknown dogs haven’t been in it.
• Go for car rides. Short, happy trips make future vet visits and holidays easier.
• Meet vaccinated dogs. Healthy, fully vaccinated adult dogs you know can visit your home, or you can visit theirs.
• Join a puppy class. Many classes accept puppies after their first jab, as long as the floors are cleaned between sessions. Ask the trainer.
• Practise at home. Get them used to the hoover, the doorbell, being handled and gentle tooth-brushing.

Keep each new experience short and positive, with lots of treats. A worried puppy should always be able to retreat to you.

What if my puppy has already had a first vaccination elsewhere?

That’s fine, and it’s very common with puppies from breeders and rescues. Please bring the vaccination card to your first appointment. The brand matters. If your puppy had the same vaccine we use, we’ll simply give the second jab. If it was a different brand, we’ll switch to ours and give a second and a third jab, so your puppy is fully protected and the course is complete.

Rescue puppies with no records are treated as unvaccinated, so we start the course from the beginning. Bring any microchip paperwork too. By law in England, puppies must be microchipped by 8 weeks, and the breeder should have done this. We’ll scan the chip and remind you to update the details to your name.

Side effects to expect, and when to call us

Most puppies have no side effects at all. Some are a little sleepy or off their food for a day, and a few have a small, soft lump where the needle went in, which goes down within a couple of weeks. After the kennel cough vaccine, coughing is an uncommon side effect.

Call us straight away on 0203 603 4843 if your puppy:

• Has a swollen face, or hives (raised bumps on the skin)
• Is sick or has diarrhoea more than once
• Struggles to breathe, or collapses
• Is still very flat or not eating after 24 hours
• Has a lump that’s still there after three weeks, or is getting bigger

Serious reactions are rare, and they usually happen within minutes to a few hours. Out of hours, call our emergency partner, Medivet Beckenham, on 0208 650 2003.

Spreading the cost

Every puppy vaccination at Whisker & Woof includes a full health check. For our current prices, give us a call on 0203 603 4843.

You can also spread the cost with our W&W Platinum Health Plan, paid by monthly direct debit. It includes your puppy’s full vaccination course, so you can join from their very first visit. It also includes:

• Annual boosters and full health checks
• Flea, worm and tick treatment all year round
• Free microchipping
• 10% off neutering and dental treatment

The plan covers preventative care, not illness or injury. We’d recommend insuring your puppy while they’re young, before any conditions develop, as that usually gives the broadest cover.

Book your puppy’s first appointment

Book your puppy’s first visit within a few days of bringing them home, even if their first jab isn’t due yet. It’s an unhurried appointment. We let your puppy sniff, settle and enjoy a few treats, because their first vet visit sets the tone for every one after it. As an accredited Dog Friendly Clinic, with Libby Davies as our dog advocate, we make the vet somewhere puppies look forward to coming.

Alongside the vaccination and health check, we’ll cover:

• Microchipping: we’ll check the chip scans, or fit one if it’s missing
• Worming: a schedule based on your puppy’s age and weight
• Flea treatment: safe products for young puppies
• Lungworm: year-round protection, because slugs and snails carry it in gardens and parks across London
• Diet: what to feed, how much, and when to move to adult food
• Socialisation, insurance and neutering: when you’re ready to talk about them

Book online or call us on 0203 603 4843. We’re at 143 Lee Road, Blackheath, SE3 9DJ.

Puppy vaccination FAQs

How long after the second vaccination can my puppy go out? One week with the vaccines we use at Whisker & Woof, so usually at around 13 weeks old. Other brands can need two to four weeks, so check with the vet who gave the jab. We’ll give you an exact date at your puppy’s second appointment.

How many vaccinations does a puppy need? Two. The first is at around 8 weeks and the second at 12 weeks. A first booster then follows at 12 to 15 months, and after that your dog has a booster every year.

How long between puppy vaccinations? Four weeks: the first jab is at 8 weeks and the second at 12 weeks. If you’d like your puppy socialising sooner, we can split the second jab and give part of it earlier. The second jab must be given at the right age to work properly, so try not to let it slip.

How much do puppy vaccinations cost? It depends on whether your puppy needs kennel cough as well, and every jab here includes a full health check. Call us on 0203 603 4843 for our current prices. Or join our Platinum Health Plan, which includes the full puppy vaccination course and spreads the cost by monthly direct debit.

Can my puppy meet other dogs before they’re fully vaccinated? Yes, if you know the dogs are healthy and fully vaccinated. Meeting at your home or theirs is ideal. Avoid parks and unknown dogs until your puppy is fully protected.

Is the first vaccination at 8 weeks too early? No. Eight weeks is the standard age to start, and vaccines are tested to be safe at that age. Starting on time means your puppy is protected sooner, and can start walks while their socialisation window is still open.