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I started a new character. Making sure to start with, and maintaining, a class with summons... or a dog. The same thing, mostly. Then I started leveling, first the summoner. Then tried adding the handler (for the dog). With both of those, the game was much easier. At least to the levels I have achieved in the various measures.
However, I have moved on, in the secondary 'toon. Leveling other classes. And difficulty increased. However, with my main character, with all alt classes (at least available to my game update status), I may just go to the dual dog/else summon class and see if that allows better play.