Mine stays at heel with shock collar on until we are in the boat. She doesn't get out of the truck until it is parked away from the water to do her business so I can keep and eye on her for that very reason.
I had a similar incident in Scarsdale boat launch last year after duck hunting. Got out of boat after hunt at launch, let her go up to water's edge after scanning the area and then let her take a drink as I stood right next to her. When she was done she heeled and onto the truck in kennel she went until I was done unloading boat. When I went back to boat after kenneling her (maybe a span of one minute) there was at the minimum a 10 footer with the biggest fucking head a mere 5 yards from the bank (facing it) exactly where she was drinking.
So I know exactly what you mean by a close call. Not quite that close, but close enough.
