Guess it was just a combination of things. When Little Bit's kittens
first started exploring they crawled into everything, so I gave up the
recliner for awhile. As they all went to their new homes, except Sammy
who stayed, I gradually got the recliner back.

Sammy may be the smartest cat I've ever had, stubborn but smart. She
knew after the first couple times that when I said "NO" and picked up
the water bottle she had to cease and desist whatever mischief she was
up to at the moment.

Just the threat of the squirt bottle is enough, although she often
tries to ignore me. I don't even keep a bottle inside now, it's
hanging on a nail on the patio for those times when she goes out. She
knows where she can go. and is constantly trying to expand her range,
she'll go right to the edge of where she's permitted. When I call her
back she crouches down and lays there twitching her tail with her ears
cocked back at me. So she lays there and listens for me to get up from
where I'm sitting, She knows the range of the bottle, so she lays
there until just before I get within range, then takes off running
back into the safe zone. She considers it a fun game, but knows that
she can only do it a couple times before it earns her a trip inside
for a timeout.

Anyway, back to the recliner, she decided that it was like being
inside a drum when I started my banging on the sides. She just decided
that wasn't the best place to go. It also helps that I keep one of
those cat tunnels next to the recliner, which she finds an acceptable
ambush blind. Besides, the tunnel is closer to the heater, so it's a
better place for naps. ;-)

Now, it's Rocky who has problems with recliner. He's too big to climb
inside, but hasn't learned that he'll get banged on the head if he is
too close when I get up. As long as I remember to check for his
reflection in the sliding door he's safe, but he's been bonked a
couple times. He also hasn't figured out that he has to stand back a
little when I sit down, or he'll get it under the chin when I kick
back. Unfortunately, he's a slow learner ;-(