I only use animals in close combat, in situations where my primary defence has fallen and I've been forced to retreat or when prisoners escape, drop pods land on top or infestations. They make an excellent buffer and can deal a bit of damage too.
To make them more effect in standard prepared defence combat, maybe sticking a personal shield on them would do the trick since it would allow them to get in melee range more effectively and also protect them from your own stray bullets. It also sounds practically possible to be able to attach a shield belt to them.
To make them more effect in standard prepared defence combat, maybe sticking a personal shield on them would do the trick since it would allow them to get in melee range more effectively and also protect them from your own stray bullets. It also sounds practically possible to be able to attach a shield belt to them.