Scratching post is Step 1.

A quality scratching post is Step 1. in motivating your cat to claw where you want it to and to leave other things along.

It should be tall and stable and made out of a material that presents a good texture for the purpose. All cats are different and they have different likes and dislikes. When it comes to clawing it seems logical to use a material that they might find in nature.

Clearly, however, cats often are content clawing the artificial materials that are used in a lot of furniture today.

Should a cat claw something it shouldn't despite the presence of a quality scratching post, you will need to go to training, Step 2.