Buy a large, very sturdy cat tree. You can probably find one for around
180.00.  Also, by some sticky paws sheets to put on the parts of the couch
he likes to scratch (can be found at same store you get cat tree at).  You
won't need to leave it on forever, just until you get him used to the
scratch tree. I would, peronally, get two trees. A large one and a half one.
Mine use their continuously. I, of course, have three cats, but still even
one should have a choice of surfaces. See our set up:

http://tinyurl.com/3b8be

or
http://f2.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/kchuplis/album?.dir=/12ef&.src=ph&store=&prodid
=&.done=http%3a//f2.pg.photos.yahoo.com/kchuplis

I agree with Karen. Get a nice big cat tree with various textures to scratch
on. They are worth every penny spent on them. Spray it with catnip and feed
your cat treats on it. Location can make a difference so put it near the
couch to start as that seems to be where he likes to scratch. Use the sticky
tape on the couch until the cat gets the picture.

W

In the fine newsgroup "rec.pets.cats.health+behav",
Jul 2004:

I used to let mine scratch my furniture before I moved into my
house. I got rid of that stuff when I bought my house and at first,
I left the big plastic covers on the furniture that it was
delivered in. Removed them when I had company. When I first moved
in, mine were much older; 8 and 12 yrs old. This was around the
time I first started reading these news groups and I was amazed
that people had trained their cats not to demolish furniture. I
took their advice, got a big sturdy cat tree, and some horizontal
cardboard scratchers and they learned quickly that they liked their
stuff better. I still keep an old chair downstairs that has a
tweedy upolstery and they know it is theirs.

When my Siamese (RB) adoptd me, I covered the living room furniture
with sheet plastic and just left it there when the furniture was not
in use.  Cats don't seem to care for plastic.  I also got her a
scratching post and many toys.  That was 21 years ago and my cats
never scratched the furniture.  After a few months I removed the
plastic.  Good luck.   MLB

How about trying some of Aunti Mary's scratching tips? ;-)

1. Hopefully he likes catnip. If so, rub it all over the scratching post.
Scratch the post yourself, if he still doesn't use it, take his little paws and
scratch the post with them and tell him he's a good kitty. Remember to
associate positive things with acceptable clawing and negative things with
unacceptable clawing.

2. Try a scratching mat. Some prefer horizontal over vetical surfaces.

3. Try sisal, rug, cardboard, fabric... covered trees or mat. You can get cheap
thin door mats and staple gun them to a cat tree. Use canvas if he really likes
fabric. Be sure the stapes go vertical like this "|" and not horizontal like
this "--" so they don't get their claws stuck in there.

4. Put double sided tape where he likes to scratch. They won't like the
stickiness. They may then scratch a few inches over from the tape so be
prepared to add more. Keep no. 5 in mind when using the tape.

5. Don't let him in that room where he scratches when you're not around. When
you're around stand gaurd with a squirt gun and squirt him from a distance when
he scratches the furniture. If he's real persistent, put a little bit of
vinegar in the squirt gun. You can also yell "NO!" when he scratches there. I
also like to take him away from that area instantly and take him to the
scratchy tree, hold his paws and help him scratch while praising him. Make it a
fun experience, don't hold him forcefully or he'll fear the kitty tree. Make
everything associated with the kitty tree positive. I sometimes will put a
scratchy tree close to the furniture they are clawing so they have a nearby
alternative.

6. Put vinegar where he scratches. They don't like the smell.

7. Try some of that cat away spray.

8. Try a scat mat where he is scratching.

9. Get rid of fabric furniture with vertical fabric sides. Get THICK leather or
wood sofa and chairs.

10. Try soft paws.

11. Try trimming his claws every ten days. Some do once a week.

12. Whenever you see him clawing appropriately, praise and reward him lavishly.
Continue to praise him forever or he may get lazy.

13. Try Feliway to calm them down.

14. Make sure your cat tree is tall and heavy enough. Big kitties will topple a
small light one with a small base. I put weights on the bottom of mine. I get
the big ones. I also have a multi-tier cat tree they like to rip up.

15. Try this product, a cat tree that attaches to the side of your couch.
http://www.birminghamind.com/Scratchaway/index.html

While you're getting him to use a new scratching post, I suggest you
get a couch cover in a fabric that's not attractive to kitty claws,
such as velveteen, fake suede, or a very tightly woven smooth fabric.
I opted for a velveteen couch.

Three words:  Double sided tape.

About $1.50 for a small roll at the hardware store. Put it where the kitty
scratches and they'll stop soon enough.

I spent money on sprays and things and it did nothing.

Good luck!