the kids are 6 and 8! thats old enough for them to udnerstand to abide by rules AND realise that puppy needs to be left alone, my little sister is 7 and she understands animals are beings too with feelings. to me it seems the parents fault that the children are undisiplined. i certainly wouldnt have left it to a friend to tell the children off if they were mine! im sorry you had a bad day. poor puppy too