IKEA provides “Dog Parking”
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These days, many businesses are pretty accommodating to dog owners when they arrive at their establishment. Unfortunately, sometimes a business’s code of conduct does not allow them to let in a K9 companion, therefore leaving the owner’s only option to leave them outside. Nobody wants to leave their pup in a car, and leaving them tied outside can give off the wrong impression to passers-by about what kind of owner you may be. Thankfully, IKEA has sidestepped all of the awkwardness and has come up with a simple solution: ”Dog Parking.” Sure, most of you have probably seen bike lots outside of many IKEA stores, but there is an IKEA in Germany that wanted to provide parking for the furry friends that might be accompanying their owners on a trip to furnish their household.
The super cute “Dog Parking” set-up is located right in the front of the store. Owners can “park” their pups at personal stations which are equipped with astro-turf lawns and bowls of fresh cold water. Once the dog is parked, owners are free to roam the store, knowing that their dog is comfy and safe right outside. IKEA Germany’s guidelines state that pets are not allowed inside of their stores unless they are guide dogs. This is to accommodate customer’s safety and health. The Dog Parking lets dog owners know that they are more than welcome to bring their dog to IKEA–despite not being allowed in. This is great for owners who do not want to leave their dogs home alone. This is a creative strategy for IKEA, as I could definitely see people bringing their dogs to the store just to see the Dog Parking alone!
Boy oh boy, with IKEA providing hangouts for dogs and brewing beer, along with those little delicious meatballs they make… they’re kind of sort of looking like a pretty sweet and quirky date night idea, no? You won’t even have to leave your best friend alone at home!
