Venomancers and pets

Lately I been bumping into a question a lot when it comes to venomancers and pets. The question is: Does pet play any role in PvE and PvP anymore?

In the earlier days of PvP, venomancers with a nix would be feared in PvP. Iron wood + Flesh ream combo was apparently very effective. Im using the word apparently, as my PvPing didnt start till R9 was making its way in, and Iron wood + Flesh ream was on its way out. But even since then, a lot have happened with both the class and our pets, with new skills, buffed up pets and over all skill changes. And many now seem to think that pets are of no use at all for PvP in particular.

And this is where I come to say: I disagree. Pets are still excellent supplements for the PvPer in a few ways. The most obvious one might be the damage dealing, tho that might actually be the more minor thing a pet can do. A pet have more uses, and must also be used with a bit of skill. You dont want your pet to be the reason the R9rr caster with the flag in NW ran away, but you would probably like to see your own tail saved by it. So heres my attempt at making a what to do list for pet users, and what to not do.

What to do:

-Natural Synergy: One of the nicest skills a venomancer can have. Making yourself stun immune for a good while. Combine this with Feral concentration and/or Charger orb will give you a good head start. As well as it increase your pets damage output.
-Defend order: Actually a very nifty lil thing. Pet will attack whoever attacks you first. This gives you two advantages, first of all you will see where the attack comes from by following your pets path. As well as when a sin jumps you from stealth, a pet with pounce as auto use will give you a small breathing space to counter the attack. Maybe with the combination mentioned above.

-Maximize your pets damage: Purge, amp, myriad, ironwood before you send the pet after a target. Your pets damage is not going to be amazing, wether ita kowlin, puppy, nix or a monkey. So make the best out of it if you arent going to keep pet for a defensive use. Maximizing the first hits will let you get the most out of the skills before they go into cool down, as well as the attack itself might be noticeable for your opponent, creating a diversion or in some cases even be important for win or lose.

-Dont get too eager: following a caster with a flag in NW might make pets with stuns seem like a good idea. Make sure that caster is not a recasted R9! Simple enough: Your pet damage will most likely be weak on a tanky caster. Each hit can proc their purify weapon, meaning the flag will get a sudden speed boost in trade for a few 100 damage.

Not claiming this to be a definitive tutorial for pet use or PvP. Im fairly inexperienced in PvP, and might see this from a wrong perspective. If you guys have feedback, and changes I should make or add, please tell me n stuff

Also, as a small thingie is a small clip from NW the other day. Its my first vid, but at least show a bit of how pets can influence fights to some extent. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RufKNWy-qI0&feature=youtu.be

So what you guys think? Are pets useful in PvP and PvE? Or are they simply fancy feathered deadweight?