I think that in cats, like humans, some are smarter than others, some more stubborn, and so on.
The cat that I am sharing my home with, Frosty, is smart and a fast learner, even when compared with other cats I have lived with, and .. she is stubborn.
She knows that when I am not paying attention to her, as in when I am on the computer, she can start clawing the tablecloth (while looking over her shoulder at me)and it will get my attention, just like a child acting up to get mommy’s time.
In the past, when she clawed something I didn’t want her to, I would pick her up, take her to her scratching post, stand behind her, take a hold of her front legs and drag her paws down the post. I do this a few times and tell her what a good girl she is and love her up.
Now she knows, use the post and be a good kitty, and if she wants to piss me off or get my attention, use the tablecloth or the mattress. LOL Of course, this takes time and patience, repetition, but to me, having her toes chopped off is just not an option!