The first family recently added a new member - a 1-year-old puppy named Sunny - but President Obama said it was as much for them as it was for Bo, who he said has been "down in the dumps" at the White House recently.

"Bo was getting lonely because the two other puppies are grown up. And they still have some responsibilities for him, but they're not always around between school, sports practice, all that stuff. And so Bo was getting a little down in the dumps inside the house," Obama said in an interview on CNN's New Day.

"Sunny, the new dog. she's only a year old and the truth is she's faster than she is, she jumps higher, she's friskier," he said. "He is trying to keep up. But I think that ultimately, it's going to be great."

Obama said the first lady is in "full parenting mode" with Sunny, who is a Portuguese water dog just like Bo, teaching her to sit and catch, but there have been a few mishaps in the White House since Sunny is not yet fully potty trained.

"We live in rental housing. We didn't have to put down a deposit, but we are making sure that it gets cleaned up for the next occupant," he said.

President Obama said his two daughters, Sasha and Malia, are spending less time at home as their schedules get heavier heading into their teenage years, but he said his daughters still know how to show their love for him, even if the moments are brief.

"Michelle gets all the credit, Malia and Sasha are just doing great. They are poised, they're smart, they're funny. But most importantly they're kind, they're respectful to everybody. I couldn't be prouder of them," he said.

"What I'm discovering is that each year I get more excited about spending time with them. They get a little less excited. But they love me, so they want to pretend like they want to spend time with me," he said. "They'll come into my office and they'll pat me and say, hey daddy, I love you and they'll give me like a 10 minute conversation. Then they'll say,'ok, daddy I got to go. I'll be gone all weekend, and I'll see you on Sunday night.'"