expand_less Masters can handle their animal companion as a free action, or push it as a move action, even if they don't have any ranks in the Handle Animal skill. The link grants a +4 circumstance bonus on all wild empathy checks and Handle Animal checks made regarding an animal companion.
This task involves commanding an animal to perform a task or trick that it knows. If the animal is wounded or has taken any nonlethal damage or ability score damage, the DC increases by 2. If your check succeeds, the animal performs the task or trick on its next action.