Chalkboard: I will not sell school property

Couch Gag: The entire family fits on the couch, including the pets.

This episode marks the first appearance of Professor John Frink.

(Homer fields a phone call from someone interested in buying Santa's Little Helper.)
Homer: Oh no, we'd never give him away. But we're moving to another country where dogs are forbidden. (Pause) Hear what? (Pause) Oh, sure. Come here, boy! Put that prowler down! Come here! Come on, boy! (Homer pants into the phone like a dog.)
Homer: Say it, boy. Say "I love you" for the nice man. (In a dog's voice) I wuv you!
(Pulls the phone away from his mouth.)
Homer: Good dog! Good doggie!
(Puts phone back near his mouth.)
Homer: Isn't that amazing? See you soon! (Hangs up phone.) Whoo-hoo!

(At dog obedience school.)
Emily Winthrop: There are two ways for a dog to relieve himself. One is like a faithful friend and partner for life. The other is like a hose without a fireman. Which way do you think that was, Mr. Simpson?
(Bart is down on his hands and knees scrubbing the floor.)
Bart: Like a hose. (Under his breath.) Your Wrinkled Highness.

(Bart notices Homer’s new shoes.)
Bart: Whoa! Assassins!
Homer: Yep. Heh, heh. Read ‘em and weep.
Marge: Those are very elaborate sneakers.
Bart: They better be, for 125 big ones.
Homer: D’oh!
Marge: $125!
Homer: Bart! (Reaches down to choke Bart.)
Bart: Aah!
Marge: Homer!
Homer: D’oh!
Marge: I thought we agreed to consult each other before any major purchases.
Homer: Well, you bought all those smoke alarms, and we haven't had
a single fire.
Marge: Hmmm!

(At the breakfast table, Bart notices that Lisa isn't dressed for school.)
Bart: No way! She's faking! If Lisa stays home, I stay home.
Lisa: If Bart stays home, I'm going to school.
Bart: Fine. Then--Wait a minute. If Lisa goes to school, then I go to school. But then, Lisa stays home, so I stay home. So, Lisa goes to school.
Marge: Lisa, don't confuse your brother like that.

When Bart's dog is chewing the TV remote control, one of the shots on it is of "I Can't Believe They Invented It." with Troy McClure as the host. This is the exact same shot from "Homer vs Lisa and the 8th Commandment."

Bart Gets An F

The title is a reference to the Season 2 premiere episode.

Animal House

At the end of the episode, there are captions at the bottom of the screen that tell what happened to each of the dogs after graduating their obedience school. It is a quick and humorous reference to the 1978 comedy.

Friday The 13th

When Santa's Little Helper destroys the quilt, the echo sound that can be heard is from the 1980 horror film.