It's a big wide world out there and sooner or later your puppy is going to have to learn to deal with other people.
Some breeds are naturally sociable, while others are happier going solo. This really shouldn't matter though because, if you train him well enough, any dog ought be able to adjust to life with a family.
At first your puppy may be scared of everything or he could be overly curious and very bold. The happy medium is somewhere in between these two. For safety's sake, your puppy should be cautious of new things, but he also needs to be confident enough to check out new places and situations.
Start by getting your puppy used to human contact. Play with him on your lap when he's little as this will help promote friendliness.
Get your friends to pick your puppy up, even if he's shy. This is better than having them crouch down and muscle in on his personal space which could freak him out. It's all right to let your friends give him treats too.
Even if your puppy seems frightened, both you and your friends need to appear confident and enthusiastic.
If you have small children, teach them to be kind to the puppy. Tell them how the puppy is feeling, so they can empathise with him.
Don't force your puppy into sensory overload situations, such as a room full of strangers.
It is also important that your puppy learns to associate with other dogs. A good place to start with this is in a controlled situation like obedience classes.
