Michael Keaton was originally approached to play Bob McGraw. The role later was cast with actor Steve Guttenberg, who over the course of a weekend, instead decided to sign onto Police Academy (1984), leaving the production without a lead actor. In the end, the lead male part was cast with actor Tim Matheson from National Lampoon's Animal House (1978).
The phrase "Le Petomane" is French and translates into English as "The Fartmaster".
Many film critics and reviewers in reviewing the movie said that the dog performer Jake, who played Chuck the Wonder Dog, provided the best acting and performance in the picture.
'Cheap Trick' rock band drummer Bun E. Carlos was once asked why their title song 'Up the Creek' (1984) to this movie had never been included on a 'Cheap Trick' compilation album. He said: "-'Coz it sucks."
In Spain, the movie was titled "Los albóndigas en remojo", alledgedly pretending to be a sequel to Meatballs (1979) that was title "Los incorregibles albóndigas". This movie was released on theaters on Summer 1984 and Meatballs Part II (1984) in Summer 1986. For a long time this was considered part of the saga.