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You've got eight dogs coming to Saturday's class. One of them has a kennel cough vaccine that ran out two weeks ago. Nobody knows, including the owner.
Vaccine requirements protect the dogs in your care, the other clients' dogs, and you. If a dog gets sick after your class, the first question is going to be whether you checked. Here's what to require, what proof to collect, a policy you can copy, and how to keep track of expiry dates without a spreadsheet.
Which Vaccines to Require
Requirements vary by location and by the kind of training you do, so treat this as a starting point and check with a local vet and your insurer.
| Vaccine | Protects against | Commonly required for | Usually renewed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rabies | Rabies (often required by law, e.g. in Indiana) | Every dog, every service | Every 3 years for adult dogs (check local law) |
| DHPP | Distemper, adenovirus, parvovirus, parainfluenza | Every dog, every service | Every 3 years for adult dogs |
| Bordetella | Kennel cough | Group classes; required for training facilities in NYC | Yearly; some facilities still ask for every 6 months |
| Canine influenza | Dog flu (H3N8 and H3N2 strains) | Group settings; kennels, daycare and dog parks are higher-risk | Yearly |
| Leptospirosis | A bacterial infection spread through infected animals' urine and contaminated water or soil | Dogs that train outdoors near water or wildlife | Yearly |
Class requirements commonly list rabies, parvovirus and distemper as required, with Bordetella required or strongly recommended. If you want a simple rule of thumb:
- Private sessions: rabies and DHPP.
- Group classes: rabies, DHPP and Bordetella, plus canine influenza or lepto if they're common where you work.
- Puppy classes: age-appropriate shots. The American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior (AVSAB) says puppies can start socialization classes as early as 7 to 8 weeks, with at least one set of vaccines given 7 days before the first class, a first deworming, and vaccines kept up to date throughout the class.
Some areas have their own rules. New York City's Health Code, for example, requires dogs entering training facilities to be actively vaccinated against Bordetella. A quick check with your local health department or insurer is worth it.
What Proof to Collect
"Yeah, he's up to date" isn't proof. Ask for a vet record that shows:
- The dog's name
- The vet clinic
- Each vaccine's name
- The date it was given, and when it expires
A photo or PDF of the record is fine. The easiest time to collect it is before the first session, as part of your intake form, so you're never chasing paperwork on the day.
Titers: a titer measures a dog's antibodies and can show whether a booster is needed. Some trainers accept titers for dogs who can't be vaccinated. Rabies is different: some states require the vaccine itself, and Indiana says a rabies titer can't be used in place of vaccination.
Vaccination Policy Template
Copy this into your client agreement and adjust it to what you require.
Vaccination Policy
To keep every dog safe, all dogs must be up to date on the following vaccines before their first session:
- All services: Rabies and DHPP
- Group classes: Bordetella [and canine influenza / leptospirosis]
- Puppy classes: at least one set of age-appropriate vaccines, given at least 7 days before the first class, with boosters kept on schedule
Please provide a vet record showing each vaccine and its expiry date. If a vaccine expires during your training, I'll need an updated record before your next session. Dogs that are unwell, or showing signs like coughing, vomiting or diarrhea, should stay home, and the session can be rescheduled at no charge.
[Titers for DHPP are accepted with a note from your vet. Rabies vaccination is required.]
Because the policy lives in your client agreement, it's signed before you ever meet. (If you're putting an agreement together, add your cancellation policy while you're at it.)
The Hard Part: Keeping Track of Expiry Dates
Collecting records once is easy. The problem is that vaccines expire in the middle of training programs. A Bordetella shot that was fine in week one can lapse by week five of a six-week class, and nobody notices.
The usual fix is a spreadsheet column or a calendar reminder. It works until you have 20 clients and 30 dogs, each with four or five dates to watch. That's over a hundred dates, and the one you miss is the one that matters.
What actually works:
- Store vaccines on each dog's profile, not in a separate file, so they're in front of you when you look at the dog.
- Get warned before something expires, not after. A 30-day heads-up gives the owner time to book a vet visit.
- Let owners see the reminder too. When the owner gets the nudge directly, you don't have to be the one chasing them.
If client details are already scattered across apps, here's how to get your whole business into one place.
How Pawmand Tracks Vaccines for You
- Vaccines live on each dog's profile: Rabies, DHPP, Bordetella, Leptospirosis, Canine Influenza, or any custom vaccine, each with its expiry date.
- Owners can enter them on your intake form, so the records arrive with the new client.
- Pawmand flags anything that's expired or expires within 30 days, right on the dog's profile.
- Owners see the same warning in their portal, so they know to book the vet before you have to ask.
Never Miss an Expired Vaccine Again
Pawmand is the dog trainer app that keeps every dog's vaccines, health, behavior and training history in one profile, and warns you and the owner before anything lapses. Plus intake forms with e-signed agreements, group classes, session summaries and invoicing.
14-day free trial. No credit card required.
Start for freeFrequently asked questions
What vaccines do dogs need for training classes?
Class requirements usually start with rabies and distemper/parvovirus (often given together as DHPP). Bordetella (kennel cough) is commonly required or strongly recommended for group classes, and New York City requires it for dogs entering training facilities. Some trainers also ask for canine influenza or leptospirosis. Requirements vary by location, so check local rules and with your insurer.
Can puppies go to training classes before they're fully vaccinated?
Yes, with precautions. The American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior (AVSAB) says puppies can start socialization classes as early as 7 to 8 weeks, with a minimum of one set of vaccines at least 7 days before the first class and a first deworming, and should be kept up to date on vaccines throughout the class.
Should dog trainers accept titers instead of vaccines?
Some do, for dogs who can't be vaccinated. Rabies is different: some states require the vaccine itself. Indiana, for example, says a rabies titer can't be used in place of vaccination. Check your state's rules before accepting a rabies titer.
What counts as proof of vaccination?
A record from the vet clinic showing the dog's name, the clinic, each vaccine's name, the date it was given and when it expires. A photo or PDF of the vet record is fine. An owner's word that the dog is 'up to date' isn't enough.
Sources
This article is Pawmand's conclusion based on our research, including the sources below. It's general information, not legal, veterinary or financial advice.
- Position Statement on Puppy Socialization · American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior (AVSAB)
- Dog Vaccine Schedule: A Guide to Dog & Puppy Shot Schedules · Small Door Veterinary
- Update on New York City Bordetella Vaccination Requirements · The Animal Medical Center (New York)
- Class Requirements · Pawsabilities (Minnesota)
- Pet Vaccination Laws · State of Indiana
- Canine Influenza H3N2 FAQ · Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine
- Leptospirosis in Pets: What to Know · Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)