One of the questions asked most about roses is when to prune them?  The answer is to do it now, in the late winter to early spring.  Its best to prune in the early spring just as new growth is breaking.  Prune just above the new breaks and remove any dead wood, winter damage or diseased or crossing stems.  Check the overall condition of the plant and the general surroundings.  If it is growing into another plant or up against the house – prune it into a more controlled shape.  If it has grown into a thicket, thin out stems from the middle of the plant and keep the overall height of your hybrid roses to 2 – 3 feet and any shrub roses to 3 –4 feet.  Prune climbing roses back to healthy wood and correct the shape.  Also if there are any weak straggling branches remove them.