He is been picky and not eager about food anymore I had him on raw diet since he was born , with alternating options as patties , using stella and chewy gold dust food sprinkler to entice him Yet he is not eager to approach food unless i start feeding him with my hand He has his good days but some days he just waits for long until he has his breakfast for example !!

It's understandable to feel concerned when a puppy who used to dive into his bowl suddenly seems uninterested — especially when you've put so much thought into his diet!

The good news is that some degree of pickiness around this age is actually pretty common. Here's what's generally going on with puppies around 7 months:

The "adolescent slowdown" is real. Around 6–9 months, many puppies naturally start eating a little less enthusiastically than they did as younger pups. Their growth rate is slowing down, so their calorie needs genuinely drop. A puppy who used to inhale every meal may simply not be as hungry as before — and that's often completely normal.

Hand-feeding can accidentally teach picky habits. This is one of the most common patterns in young dogs. Once a puppy learns that waiting = getting hand-fed (which feels extra special and rewarding), many will hold out for that experience. It's not stubbornness — it's just smart dog logic!

A few gentle things to try at home:

• Put the bowl down, give him 15–20 minutes, then pick it up with no fuss if he hasn't eaten. Offer it again at the next meal. This helps break the "waiting game."
• Try to avoid hand-feeding as a regular habit — save it for training moments instead.
• Keep meal times consistent and in a calm, low-distraction spot.
• Since you're already rotating proteins and using a topper, try pulling back on the topper temporarily. Sometimes heavy enhancement can make plain food feel "not worth it" by comparison.
• Make sure he's getting appropriate exercise before meals — a short walk can naturally boost appetite.

Raw diet note: Raw feeding done thoughtfully (as you're clearly doing) is generally fine, but it's worth periodically reviewing portion sizes as he transitions from puppy to young adult, since his needs are shifting.

When to see your vet:

Schedule a visit if you notice any of the following:

• He's losing weight or his ribs are becoming more prominent
• He's skipping meals entirely for more than 1–2 days in a row
• You notice vomiting, diarrhea, or soft stools alongside the reduced appetite
• He seems low-energy, lethargic, or "not himself" beyond just mealtime
• He's showing any signs of mouth discomfort (pawing at face, chewing on one side)

At 7 months, Dachshunds are also in the middle of teething, which can occasionally make eating uncomfortable — that's worth mentioning to your vet too. A routine wellness check would be a great opportunity to confirm his weight is on track and get personalized guidance on his raw diet portions as he grows.