PeggySue,
thanks for the compliment but the reason I get the shots I do is because of my toy toss ! To get the head looking exactly where you want it to look at the exact moment you have to click the shutter is the key to my win photos. That entails tossing a toy with the left hand while shooting entirely with the right and watching the dog's head until it is in exactly the right position. I've never had to think about the toss. It was automatic. Instinctive.

Now, it's awkward, painful and gets more of my focus than what I'm seeing in the viewfinder which is not good. Don't think for a minute that show formals are a coincidence of great dogs posing correctly and the photographer getting the shot. It requires a knowledge of where that head should be and the ability to get it there. At the moment, my toy-toss is broken and I'm depressed!!!!

Jim