How to stop my puppy from chasing my cats?

I just got done reading the ‘answers’ that many people have given you and I am in shock on some of the things they have told you. I’m not saying they are completely incorrect, but I am an animal behaviorist and these are not proper training techniques. (Ask ANY trainer.) If anything, putting your puppy on a leash and forcing your cat to sit there while he sniffs him is almost torturous for your cat and your puppy isn’t learning ‘anything’ by doing this. Also, NEVER discipline your dog by putting him in a crate! Please understand this. Your dog’s crate is ‘his space.’ It should never be used as a ‘time out.’ If you put the dog outside as punishment, then all you are doing is ‘avoiding’ the disciplinary process. This won’t stop your puppy’s behavior, because for all he knows, he’s being allowed to run around outside and play just after you told him ‘no.’ This is what you need to do. Be an ‘active’ role in the discipline. What I mean is get up to discipline. Sitting on the couch yelling ‘no’ will get you no where. You do not need to hit your dog. Ever. They are not humans, and all they associate with that is a touch from a human ‘hurt.’ This could cause long term damage to you puppy. This is what you need to do. When your cats come nearby, you need to watch your puppy. As soon as he starts to get the ‘alert look’ on his face (head pops up, ears pop up, sits or stands up), lightly touch his back and say ‘no, leave it.’ The goal in doing this is to snap him out of this mind set BEFORE he gets into chasing mode. If your dog still proceeds to get up and focus on the cats and not the correction, then you need to get up, get in front of the dog (so if he walks further he will walk into your legs) and say ‘no, leave it.’ Snap your fingers and point in the opposite direction. If he doesn’t move, walk into him, slightly pushing him to turn and walk the other way. This is a challenge for your dog, because he’s not out to hurt your cats, he’s simply wanting to play. Your cats run and he thinks it’s a game of ‘chase.’ You do need to correct this behavior now, before he gets bigger and ultimately someone gets hurt. Another suggestion would be to keep small treats with you when you make this correction. When your dog is back in the position you want him to be in and his focus is completely taken off your cats, tell him ‘yes, good leave it’ and reward his good behavior with a yummy treat. This is a timely process and your puppy will not learn it over night. You need to be consistent and patient and if you are those two things, he will learn. Before you know it, your puppy and cats will be cuddled up next to eachother and when you’re cats walk by your puppy, he won’t be sitting there just waiting to them to pick up speed so he can start the chase. Just be patient. You said he was a lab. They are “RETRIEVERS.” Their natural instinct is to retrieve. Keep that in mind. Make sure your dog is getting lots of excercise. A tired dog is a happy dog. Good luck and if you have any other questions, just ask! Also…consider training classes! This would benifit him tremendously.