Tustin is a 76lb, approx 6 year old American Pitbull Terrier mix. Sweet Tustin was not given the best chances in his life. Tustin is resilient and loyal. He may have been through a lot, but his spirit remains strong.

Tustin would thrive in a calm, solo and understanding home with experienced dog handlers who can provide structure without overwhelming him. He will do best in a home without other pets and no small children. Slow introductions with polite humans work best for him. Loud noises and barking dogs are particularly challenging for Tustin.

Indoors he likes a mix of mental stimulation, like treat hide-and-seek and quiet background music to relax and nap to after an outing. Despite his quiet outlook, Tustin is an active boy. He needs 3-6 walks daily and likes quiet hikes above the beach, or thru the forest, followed by plenty of rest.

Once he trusts someone, he’s very dedicated, and he shows this in subtle ways, like
choosing to be close by or resting comfortably. He’s sensitive to his surroundings and
appreciates the simple things like a quiet nap, walks and music.

One of Tustin’s biggest challenges has been his reactivity to other dogs and some humans. With consistent training and trust building exercises, he’s made a lot of progress but there is more work to do. He’s the best when he is at home; it is his safe spot. We’re proud of how far he’s come, and we know he’ll continue to improve with love and patience.

Tustin is on a prescription kidney diet and takes daily medications for his arthritis and incontinence. He takes his medications well and eats his special diet enthusiastically. When Tustin arrived with SVPP he had a tumor that was malignant, but we were able to have it fully excised. He should be protected from sun exposure and kept out of direct sun most of the time.