You can train them to use scratch posts, but it's going to depend on the stubbornness of the individual cat. Also, they like tall, sturdy scratch posts, so those tiny ones at the grocery store usually won't cut it (same reason they go for the couch, it's tall and won't fall over)

Although, if you have or are planning on having cats, i suggest never buying anything leather. All of my stuff is cloth, which is more resistant to claws