Your pet will never be like a conjurer or necro pet.
The buffs/wards in the various aa lines he provides are what he is best for, not his uber (lol) melee dps. He won't 'always' die when he gets agro, at least mine doesn't. But it is better to treat him as if he would and try to prevent him getting agro in the first place. He'll hit more often, and do more good if he is behind the mob anyhow.
AA in general will greatly increase your soloing power as a mystic, including the benifits from the pooch.