Arcanist Pets need to have "Obey" as a TOGGLE, not a command.

[Claviusnex]

YOu can keep Ifrit on sic, but Garuda you generally want on obey so as she doesn't use Contagion uselessly or knock back mobs in dungeons. When you get better keep Ifrit on obey too, and use radiant shield for raid wide aoes etc. But don't let it discourage you!
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The only difference I have with this is using Garuda, who I tend to use at level in the open world, where I leave her on Sic.