Nostalrius Begins - Quality wow vanilla realm (1.12)

Im trying to level a pet by my side and not get too far ahead of it

Right now im lvl 44 and finally managed to get a lvl 43 pet(instead of pets 10 lvls below, etc) and I want it to be the same level as me with me getting less if not any XP so it can get lvl 44 faster

how would I do this? If I afk and let the pet do all the work would it gain increased XP? Would killing elites grant it more XP? Would killing skulled or ''red'' mobs give it more XP? What would help the pet get the level the fastest?

I don't think it's possible while you're still gaining XP.

I think your pet will always be behind you in leveling but for a time you can be equal level, My boar and I are the same level at the moment (lvl 15) but I will always ding first.

You will always be ahead of your pet in experience. If your pet is the same level as you are, it is not gaining any experience. Pets only gain experience when they are 1 or more levels behind you. So as Lordvegeta said, it is possible to have hunter & pet on the same level but only for a short period and the hunter will always level-up first and the pet will always be playing catch-up.