When I start on a sculpt, it is important to get the general form FIRST.
Before you get too caught up in details, check the form and anatomy. If the anatomy is solid, it will carry the sculpture. Good anatomy combined with a dynamic pose is half the battle.
In this case I used ZBrushCore's dog mannequin manipulate it into a lunging wolf.
I don't always use the mannequins however. For my people, I usually sculpt it symmetrically first. I will make each limb its own object, and then mirror it. From there I will begin to manipulate the pose. This let me check the anatomy before I get caught up in the pose.