Since Melissa lives with her parents and her dad won't put up a fence, she went and got one of those underground electric fences for Lady. It worked for a few months, then Lady decided the little zap was worth the escape. Now Melissa has to keep her on a tie-out as before. They don't work for every dog.

I don't think its a good idea at all to just let dogs roam free. Now if you are WITH them and they have a good recall (and far away from traffic) that's a different story...but just letting them roam while you are gone? No way, that's too dangerous for the dog and rude to neighbors IMO.