Owning a dog is a big responsibility, and many pet owners jump into adopting a puppy before they know how to take care of them. Puppies must follow a regimented dog vaccine schedule to help develop their immune system. If you have a new puppy, read on to learn about vaccination recommendations for your furry friend, and how to ensure your new pup stays happy and healthy.

There are many diseases and other common ailments that puppies should be vaccinated for. When making vaccination recommendations, many veterinarians suggest a combination vaccine (called a “5-in-1”). These vaccinations are meant to prevent a variety of issues, such as canine distemper and hepatitis. Veterinarians suggest that these combination vaccines be applied at two, three, and four months of age, and then once annually. Puppies are also treated for viral diseases such as rabies or Lyme disease.

In the first few months, your veterinarian may require you and your puppy to come in every one or two weeks for vaccination.

Regular vaccination appointments will begin to taper off after about six months. Vets recommend that adult animals between the ages of one and 10 should get regular annual check ups. Despite this, 18.7% of dog owners failed to take their dogs to a veterinarian in 2011. Remember that your puppy is unable to communicate any issues with you, so the best way to ensure your pet’s heath is to schedule regular trips to the animal hospital.