Pulling while walking/Biting

Question
Thank you very much for the info, I will give the head collar a try.  I actually went to an obedience class and they fit the prong collar.  However, he had a set back due to knee surgery.  I do have another question, he is home alone during the day and very good 80% of the time.  The 20% he has torn my rug apart and bit up some molding - I hate to crate him again since he spends so much time alone (at least 8-9hrs).  I leave him the Kong toys, however, he has mastered these and I also have someone come by midday to take him out and play with him for a 1/2 hr or so.  Any ideas of some other toys that I could leave with him to occupy his time?  Does the Bitter Apple come in a creme form so that I could put it on my molding, the spray does not seem to work? Thanks again.-------------------------

Followup To

Question -
I have a 1yr old/90lb Chocolate Lab who pulls constantly when I take him out for a walk. I have tried the prong collar and this does not seem to stop him.  It is to the point that he pulls so much that by the time we return from a 3 block walk he is out of breath and drooling from pulling so much.  What can I do to break break him of this terrible behavior?

Answer -
Who fit the prong collar?  If not fit just right, by an experienced person, they are either useless or dangerous.  Head collars can be made to work by anybody capable of reading the directions that come with them.  I broke an untrained, 15 month old, intact male, chocolate Lab of pulling in a week with one.  The leading brands are Promise,  Haltie, and Gentle Leader.  They have a strap going around the dogs nose looking something like a muzzle.  They work by pulling the dogs head around.  No other way gives you such great control with so little force.  

Also work on obedience.  The key to most behavior problems is approaching things using the dog's natural instincts.  Dogs see all the people and dogs in the household as a pack with each having their own rank in the pack and a top dog.  Life is much easier if the 2 legged pack members outrank the 4 legged ones.  You can learn to play the role of top dog by reading some books or going to a good obedience class. A good obedience class or book is about you being top dog, not about rewarding standard commands with a treat. Start at http://www.dogsbestfriend.com/


Answer
I would stick with the crate.  He should be fine if somebody is giving him a mid day break.  The dog may be happier in its den than loose in the house.  It relaxes, it feels safe in its den.  It rests, the body slows down reducing the need for water and relieving its self.  Dogs that have been crated all along do very well.

In the past, I have seen Bitter Apple as a cream.  You may have to check around for it.  While you are in the pet stores, check Buster Cubes and some of the Planet Animal products meant to hold kibble.  Many Labs just try to chew them up rather than roll them around to get the kibble.