Quote: heidi moen

detests top of his head to be petted, no one but family can pet his belly and that is on his terms, when he feels like it and only when he is on his side, never his back,

Well, I know what I would do. May not be what your mom wants to hear but, I would either crate the dog or have people ignore him completely, throughout the visit.

When a dog does not really like to be petted and especially one that is picky where they are petted, there is no reason for anyone but family to interact with him.

You may not have meant it the way that I took it, but when you say he "detests" being petted on top of the head, he could possibly get upset if someone tried to do it or made him let them touch him there.
I know you and your mom do not want to think that he may have the propensity to bite, but he does, even though it may be a warning snap and he does not actually touch the person.

I personally would not put him in that situation. My Bloodhound, the crabby old man, is this way. And even though people want to interact with him, he is only allowed to interact with them during training. When he runs a trail and finds his "victim" he is 100% happy and I know for sure he will not get pissy....any other time, I do not allow it since it is not fair to him. Why put him in a situation he clearly is not comfortable with and then correct when he does something to tell people to stay away?

I agree with Carole in the fact that I would not allow this dog to socialize with guests.It sounds as though he does not really care to be petted by outsiders and even has his own terms re: petting with the family members. Maybe outsiders are making him anxious and uneasy and that is possibly why he is urinating. He could possibly snap at someone if he did not like the way they approached him or petted him in a way he did not like. Just out of curiosity, how does he greet other dogs he meets?

Connie, sounds like a good idea. Thanks to all of you for your thoughts and questions. I needed outside minds to look at this as objectively as possible with my sometimes confusing writing (which I apologize for). I talked to my parents and they are going to try that. I am not there as I live in a different state. I have talked to my mom and made her aware of what you all have suggested and she will let me know. Thanks again all of you.