I work as a teacher and a coach. 6 and 8 years is plenty old enough to understand the word "no" and leave the dog alone. My friend has a 4 year old that knows the word "no". If I were you, I would not take any of my dogs back there or bring them around those kids again.
My dog goes with me to work and I have kids ranging in age 2-18 around him at the rink. The two year old acts like a two year old...typical..but the mother still is very active about teaching her rules...although very difficult being that she is a baby. Her sister (7 years old) has never had to be told twice that she cannot carry my dog...but she is allowed to sit with him in her lap. With ALL the kids I encounter, I do not have to worry because they know the rules and follow them. I will say that I am careful about where I bring him because not all parents follow through as well as the kids I just mentioned.
suz |