How do you focus when shooting animals?

[itznfb]

with my D90 i use 3D AF auto tracking. i generally start out with the focus point in the middle because its the quickest when you're trying to throw the camera up and snap off a quick shot. i found myself fumbling with the 4 way pad on the back when i was in a hurry and the 3D auto tracking takes care of that.

for an animal walking horizantal to my view with its head on the left i'll use my center AF point and track to the left until its whole body is in the shot then fire.