Photos: Local dogs try their paws at DockDogs in Cedar Rapids

The Freedom Festival hosted a ‘Let’s Try DockDogs’ event to give pet owners a chance to try their dogs at the water-jumping event

Elizabeth Wood

Jun. 26, 2025 7:36 pm

Mallory Dudley and Dan Mussel tries to coax Dudley’s dog, Taco, into the water during the “Let’s Try DockDogs” event at Czech Village in Cedar Rapids on Thursday. Mussel said his favorite part about DockDogs is watching the dogs try it out for the first time and the smiles that come with a successful first jump. (Elizabeth Wood/The Gazette)

Charli Schmidt encourages her dog, Wren, to jump into the water during the “Let’s Try DockDogs” event at Czech Village in Cedar Rapids on Thursday. After Wren’s first jump, Wren was able to jump nearly 11 feet. (Elizabeth Wood/The Gazette)

Justin Ostdahl tries to coax his dog, Cash, toward the ramp during the “Let’s Try DockDogs” event at Czech Village in Cedar Rapids on Thursday. Ostdahl's other dog, Ripley, jumped off the DockDogs ramp and into the water quickly. (Elizabeth Wood/The Gazette)

Member of the Cedar Rapids Freedom Festival board of directors Dan Mussel coaxes a dog, Penny, into the water with a toy during the “Let’s Try DockDogs” event at Czech Village in Cedar Rapids on Thursday. Mussel said his favorite part about DockDogs is watching the dogs try it out for the first time and the smiles that come with a successful first jump. (Elizabeth Wood/The Gazette)