Which of the following is NOT true about fear responses in animals?

The statement that fear responses in animals cannot be conditioned is incorrect because fear responses can indeed be conditioned through associative learning. This means that animals can learn to associate certain stimuli with fear, leading to a conditioned fear response when they encounter those stimuli in the future. For instance, if an animal experiences a negative event, such as a loud noise while being handled, it may develop a fear response to handling in general or specifically to the sound of the noise.

Conditioning of fear responses leverages the principles of classical conditioning, where a neutral stimulus becomes a conditioned stimulus that elicits fear after being paired with an unconditioned stimulus that produces a natural fear response. This understanding is crucial in animal behavior and veterinary practice since it helps in addressing and mitigating fear in animals, leading to better handling and improved outcomes both during and after veterinary visits.

The ability to change an animal's fearful reactions through proper training techniques and desensitization implies that fear responses can be molded over time, reinforcing that response D is not true.