Scooby not sleeping with me anymore help?

[Scooby4]

I am COMPLETELY confused as to my dog's Scooby recent behavior. Scooby is the "Alpha" dog out of my 4 dogs. He is part beagle/Jack Russel mix. He had a stroke year and half ago and was paralyzed on his ENTIRE right side. He's still got a limp and difficulty getting up stairs.
I started out with Scooby and then got Shaggy for his "Pet". Then someone gave me a older mostly deaf and going blind Eskimo Spitz (Dirtnap) over 6 months ago. My most recent adoptee is a full grown Border Collie (Benji). She's been here about 4 months. They are all nuetered males but the Border Collie is a fixed Female.
They ALL get along fine. Scooby and Benji are pals but Shaggy is starting to show signs of wanting dominance. Dirtnap does not associate with the other dogs and stays pretty much to himself.
Here is the problem. Scooby ALWAYS slept with me. He was my "Snuggle bug". Shaggy slept at my feet. The cat at my head oposite of any dog on the other side... Benji just recently learned to get ALL the way up in the bed with me. She doesn't do this much and not for a large amount of time. Dirtnap may sleep on the floor in the bedroom if he makes it up the stairs.
I have discovered that Scooby is NOW sleeping on the couch downstairs at night. He is NOT allowed on the furniture except for my bed. He is also sleeping on my bed when I fall asleep on the couch! It is like when I am in bed he is on the couch and vice versa.
Any clues on what has happened? I want him to come back into my room at night. There is room for him. He knows he is Alpha dog and I will let him up there with me. I don't expect him to sleep with me because he does growl if I move at night. I want him to stop being downstairs on the couch. Any help would be nice. I am afraid that this is a change that isn't good. His health is not 100% and he may not be the alpha dog anymore. This will upset the balance in the house. What can I do to prevent this? Thanks.

[Vette]

Close the door the bedroom so he cant go downstairs?
sorry i have no real advise other then wishing you and the pooches the best of luck. :)

[IRescue452]

Sounds like he already lost his place as alpha dog. I don't think closing the door at night is going to help, they might get into a fight. If you want him to stay alpha dog you will have to remember which dog gets fed first, gets out the door first, which dog to pet first and invite him on the bed first (if the other dogs get on the bed, tell them to get off until Scooby is on the bed). You will also have to take a firmer hand with Shaggy to make sure he follows these rules, has he been to obedience classes? Do things like making him sit before going out the door, and after Scooby goes out, and sit before getting fed, so he knows you are the boss. Also, keep a closer eye on the dogs to watch how they interact and to prevent fights. It will take some patience and perhaps Scooby will not regain his place as alpha dog but its worth a try. Also, try not to make a bigger deal out of this than the dogs are, it won't be them who is upsetting the pack most of the time.

[Scooby4]

You know your right. Scooby is "slipping" a little on the alpha dog. Mostly due to his stroke. I think it is mostly me who can't accept it. I've always made an effort to make Scooby Alpha dog at all times. The new addition of Benji has thrown things off. She is twice the size of Scooby and Shaggy. She isn't dominant but submissive. I am in the process of getting her out of submissive mode. It isn't working very well and I am getting frustrated. Shaggy somehow has become more dominant in the mean time.
Good news/update: Scooby slept with me the other night!!! I did not know it and thought I was petting Shaggy. That is something!!!