Ross, I have a giant schnauzer and my breeder picks up all of his puppies by the scruff of the neck, not for punishment in anyway, simply to carry them, handle them, etc from day 1, as he breeds show dogs and they must get used to this right away. When we brought our dog home I continued handling him in this matter, and my dog was very used to it, wouldnt squirm, wine, etc...I would use it to move him from doing something bad to a place where I could re-direct him, so if he was chewing on a shoe, I would simply pick him up (no corrections) move him to a different place in the house where there was a toy or maybe tether him to me etc....and it was done...even now that he is 16 months old I still prefer to grab him by the neck or shoulders area more then his collar, it seems to make him more neutral......just my two cents....oh and yes...always do something fun before putting him in the kennel...even if its for ten seconds after hes done something bad....my dogs always got a little treat, so now they run in full speed from anywhere in the house and knock the kennel a foot or two in the process....haha