My group recently acquired a Bag of Tricks. In the rules for the item, it states "[The summoned animal] can follow any of the commands described in the Handle Animal skill." By "commands", it's referring to "Tricks". When I pointed out that Tricks require a Move Action and successfully making a DC 10 Handle Animal test, most of the other players balked. They point out that Summon Monster Spells don't involve Move Actions or Skill tests. Am I overthinking this or is it time to invest in ranks of Handle Animal?
http://paizo.com/pathfinderRPG/prd/coreRulebook/magicItems/wondrousItems.ht ml#bag-of-tricks
http://paizo.com/pathfinderRPG/prd/coreRulebook/skills/handleAnimal.html#ha ndle-animal
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The Summon Monster spells make no mention of any telepathic link, or imbuing the caster with a means of communication, yet that seems to be how many players mistakenly expect it to work.
The spells often provide a creature with intelligence 3+, and language skills, so no 'handling' required.
Even then, the caster may have to invest in those same language skills, and be prepared to spend time explaining any complex plan. And yelling it across the battlefield should allow opponents a chance to counter those tactics...
When the creature is Int 1 or 2 (eg fiendish/celestial animals), you do need to use Handle checks, to make them do anything other than fight the creature they're placed into base contact with. Just like controlling a normal animal.
If that seems harsh, I'd consider treating the bag's inhabitants as all 'combat trained' and 'trained vs unusual enemies', regardless of the Bestiary entry.
It's not that the bags are poor items (they're great for low-level parties), but more that too many groups handwave the actual issues involved in the running of summoned creatures.
If the others don't want the bag, I'd absolutely invest in HA skill, and laugh like a drain at getting free summons/day.