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Energetic lab puppy
Our sweet baby is now about 7 months old. We've been socializing and training him from 6 weeks old and he's extremely intelligent. However we have a couple of issues we'd love to have some help with. 
1) When we go on walks, he will walk right beside us without a leash, sit at all corners and even respond to directions for turning left and right. But he LOVES other dogs and other people. lol I think he's too friendly! While going for walks and even being let out of the front door, if he sees a dog or a person, he will run pell mell to go say hi regardless of what we say or do, even if they are across the street. We're worried for his safety.
2) He LOVES mommy and daddy. lol And he's got serious separation anxiety. Even if Tim is still here, if I leave the house, Bruin will head straight for the trashcan to knock it over. In fact, that's always the first thing he heads for. The other night, he ate a dozen chocolate chip cookies we had up on the counter. How do we get him to calm down when we leave and know that he is safe? We really have no desire to lock him up. He really is a sweet dog and is pretty sensitive.
Re: Energetic lab puppy
Keep him on a leash. It's likely the law in your area.
Crate-training, when done correctly, is beneficial for the dog, not cruel. Dogs are den animals, and their crate should be their safe haven. There are links on how to introduce dogs to crates in our board FAQs.
https://sites.google.com/site/petsboardfaqs/
That being said, I'm not 100% convinced that what you described is separation anxiety. It could just be a bored, under-exercised puppy. Is there anything else he does that leads you to believe it's separation anxiety?
I agree 100% about the leash! Not only is it likely the law but what if your puppy encounters another dog that isn't so friendly. What if he runs into someones yard because they have a dog and they get into a fight. In those cases, you are to blame because you don't have your dog under control so I would highly, highly suggest leash training ASAP!
Crates are not bad. You are not a bad pet owner because you crate your dog, your dog is not bad because you have to crate them. It creates a happy, safe environment for your dog that is all theirs. Did you ever have to share a bedroom as a child? Think of the dog crate as their doggy bedroom, some place they can go that is all theirs. Does the puppy get reprimanded for knocking over the trash can? Like PP mentioned, it might just be a case of him being bored and wanting something to do. In his eyes, it might even be a game. He knocks over the can so you or DH comes to pick it up. I don't know that I would classify it as true separation anxiety but more just being a puppy.
Walking a dog without a leash, regardless of age, is insane. I have a six month old lab mix puppy and she is the same with other people and dogs, she gets super excited, I'm hoping she'll grow out of it at some point.
As for #2, she is crate trained. I won't say it's her favorite place, but when I get the frozen kong out of the freezer she makes a beeline for it. We also have another dog so that probably helps with her not having sep anxiety
And please keep him on a leash. I'd hate to see him go for a dog that turns out to be unfriendly or see a vehicle hit your dog.
Get the trash can out of there; batten down and put away any and all foods. If there's anything a doggus likes to do it's table surf and garbage pick.
NILF and crate training will help him, too.
And we need a photo of that doggie.:)
Like PP said, please put him on a leash! I don't know anywhere that doesn't have leash laws and you will be avoiding a fine at the very least!
With my lab we were actually recommended to kennel him due to his separation anxiety. The thing is that he found comfort in his kennel while we were away. Now that he is about a year and a half we don't shut the kennel door, but he spends a majority of his time when we are gone just hanging out in there.