Minion skills and boss fights

Is there a reason I'm unable to utilize my minions on some bosses? I'm a warrior with unearth and Geo's wolves explode into ice every time they die, leaving me unable to summon my xenomorph skeleton dogs. As a result, the fight is much more difficult. Is this the intended outcome? Or am I just missing something? Because I feel like I'm being punished for choosing the wrong gem early on.