I would have sworn that I had seen either a feat or trait that increased your effective level for your animal companion (a-la Practiced Spellcaster).
Does anyone know where it is, or an I thinking 3.5?
It's called boon companion and it's in the pathfinder seeker of secrets.
You can find it on www.d20pfsrd.com
Raises companion level by 4 up too character level max
Thank you, so very much... I was wracking my brain (and failing multiple Will saves) trying to remember where/what it is.