First Visit

Ideally, select a veterinarian even before bringing your puppy home. Read more about selecting a veterinarian. Once your puppy is home, the first meeting of veterinanrian and puppy should happen as soon as possible - ideally within 24 hours. In addition to a general check up and examination for parasites, you and the veterinarian should work out a specific schedule of visits and vaccinations at that first meeting.

First Three Months

In the first three months of your puppy's life, your veterinarian will probably want to meet every three or four weeks for vaccinations. Read more about vaccinations. How long this schedule continues varies by location, but going until 16 weeks of age is not unusual.

Three to Six Months

Rabies vaccinations sometimes are regulated by local laws and often begin between three and six months. Between four and six months, your puppy should be checked again for parasites and your veterinarian may recommend heartworm treatment. Also watch for your puppy's permanent teeth to come in.

Spaying or neutering is recommended between four and six months. The procedure is simple, and males usually feel pretty good in a day. Females may take two or three days. This is an important decision. With the number of unplanned dogs born every year, having your puppy sterilized is the responsible thing to do.

Six Months to a Year

After six months, the veterinarian visits usually taper off. There are boosters at about one year, and these will be repeated on a regular basis, following your veterinarian's recommendation. In general, it is a good idea for adult dogs to make at least one visit a year to maintain the healthy start they got as puppies.

Perhaps the most loving, responsible thing you can do for your pet is to see that he receives timely health care from a qualified veterinarian. His life depends on it.