This was Charles Chaplin's first film for First National Films under a $1M contract where Chaplin had full creative control over his films for the first time.
Syd Chaplin (Charles Chaplin's half brother), played a small role in this film, and it was the first time the two brothers were on screen together.
The dog in this film, Scraps (real name Mut), became so attached to Charles Chaplin during filming that when Chaplin went on a Liberty Bond tour immediately after production, the dog died three weeks later of a supposed broken heart.
Zasu Pitts supposedly had a bit part in this movie. Along with Janet Sully, Margaret Dracup, and other actors, "Miss Pitts" is listed in the production daily reports of 4, 6 and 7 February 1918, when dogs in street scenes were filmed.
"A Dog's Life" was the first film Chaplin completed at his new studio on La Brea Avenue in Hollywood. All his subsequent films were produced there through 1952. As of 2022 the studio is home to the Jim Henson Company and has been largely preserved as Chaplin left it.