Alfie (pointer) is now 5 months old.  In the park he loves playing with other dogs, and does so really nicely - except for puppies.  If we come across a puppy he'll play very roughly with it and start growling and I have to take him away.  He's never done this even once with an adult dog.  Is he trying to be 'grown up' in front of these other puppies or what's the explanation?

Hi,

I think he's a pup playing pup with other pups.  He probably doesn't do this with adult dogs because he respects the fact that they are adult.  My Alfie (9 month old Rottweiler) see's his litter brother on occassions and the growling and rough play could get out of hand if it wasn't kept in check and can look and sound horrendous.  Its quite normal for puppies to play very rough indeed.  When Alf is out with adult dogs he doesn't behave in the same way.  Obviously if it gets too rough, then intervene because you wouldn't want any broken bones!