I personally use the "curse a lot" method. I find it warms my subject well. A camera that can catch a moving target, and a wide area to photograph in helps too. Sometimes a prop that the animal can hang out on or next to can keep them in one place long enough to get a few shots.
I also do the 100-1 picture ratio. You take one hundred shots, before you say "This is one &#$%&^$!!!"
Good luck