Not too preachy for me, Spencer - after I found out what declawing really does, I wanted to go and hug my kitty and vow never to do it. Ritzy by and large scratches one of the several "kitty lairs" we have for her just for that purpose. We trained her with positive reinforcement by picking her up when she tried to scratch elsewhere and place her on the proper post.

Does she digress at times? Yes, but it's minimal - we also used a little water squirt during her formative years that helped as well. Every day I'm learning more and more that when you invite a cat into your world, you live in their world as much (and sometimes more) than they live in yours And such is why I love them!