Dog using a tool?

That's one smart pup.

Yeah but maybe the dog was trained to use the "tool." We can't tell in the video.

Not really considered a thing that separates us anymore, no. There's a species of finch that breaks twigs and uses it to fish grubs out of holes. Otters use rocks, and chimps can be quite inventive.

But a dog using a tool-ish object is new to me!

Lots of animals use tools: dolphins teach their young to use sponges to protect their noses from sharp coral, herons fish by dropping "bait" onto the surface of the water, apes prepare sticks for termite-fishing (in advance) and birds like crows and ravens can innovate new tools on the spot.

Better than I could have said it myself. There is not much that separate "us" from animals. We are animals.

My cat knows how to use a power drill.

We built the room I'm sitting in now.

Your definition of 'tool' is a little off.

For these purposes, 'tool' refers to something that is built/modified. So, dropping shellfish on rocks to break their shells does not make the rock a tool. Using a rock to bash nuts does not make the rock a tool. Hitting a little brother with a stick does not make the stick a tool.

There is some primate that picks up sticks, strips twigs and the bark and then uses the stick to get ants or termites out an anthill. The stick has been modified, and so is a tool.

The dolphin story above does not sound like a tool, but it might be. I don't have enough details. I don't think that bait counts as a tool, either. Unless they are building flies.

This dog is using found objects without modifying them. Not tools, as intended in that expression.

What I sometimes call "my tool" has not been modified...much.

I agree with Ceolaf, not exactly what I consider a tool usage by this dog. I mean, don't get me wrong, this dog is cleverly trained, but it's not like the dog used one of those scoopers to pick up the ball. Now THAT I would consider a tool.

Chimps have been seen using tools for years and years for a variety of purposes.
Tool use does not separate humans from animals.

Actually, I believe it's that humans can create their own tools. Chimpanzee's use sticks and stones all the time, but they barely modify them, at most trim down the sticks.

Wow, Tool is a great band, having a dog listen to them, even better......

The major distinguishing feature between animals and humans is the use of language. There is no other animal that can construct grammatical sentences. Grammatical is key, some birds can learn nouns and verbs, but it's the use of syntax (particularly the symbolic aspects) that separates us from animals.

What about those sign language "speaking" apes? It sounds like a language to me. It looks symbolic to me. Who's the animal? We're animals. All of us. Humans = animals.

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