Best way to increase stats for leader/breeding male

Aside from exploring, is there any way to increase stats for your lead wolf?

We don't have any stat-rising items. I know fighting certain npcs give you random +1 stats but I think that is only in a range (-/+3 levels of your own?). That parentheses part is a guess, I think the battle guide talks about it somewhere?

In general, maximising your fighting (lucky foot, correct moves) will level you up faster.

Ok, thanks.