After reading this I get the impression you haven't tried out the harpoon?

You can turn on PvP and physically drag the wolf with it over some pretty intense obstacles, easily the railing of a longboat. I literally just got my first 2 star wolf to an ocean base for the first time 5 minutes ago haha. I had it follow me, but also tethered by harpoon the whole trip because i didn't trust the little bastard to not commit suicide by deathsqito or something.

Also you can drive a boat while having a creature tethered being towed behind you at a very managable stamina cost. Great way to import boars since they don't seem to get in the boat too gud