too noisy and fussy?

jake is 12 months and whines like mad every time he hears anyone near outside and is so fussy people can't come into our house cos he goes crackers lol.
will he calm down as he gets older or is it just his way .
our old staffy was similar but not half as fussy and noisy as jake .
i walk him regular on and off the lead but recently while away he runs off when he see's ayone or anything and with him being big scares some people even though he's soft as owt.
but shouting will not bring him back and we nearly lost him twice while being on holiday when he slipped his lead in the dark he thinks where just playing when trying to get him back.

He will have to get used to people coming over. Try to have friends over as often as possible and explain to them you are trying to train him. Have them ignore him until he is calm.

If his recall isn't 100 percent keep him on a long lead and adjust his collar so he can't slip out.