<human>:  How do I properly prune a rose bush?
<bot>: To properly prune a rose bush, start by removing any dead or diseased stems, then cut back all the branches by about one-third of their current length. Make sure to cut back any rubbing or crossing branches to an outward-facing bud. Next, remove any branches that are growing downwards or inward towards the center of the bush. Finish by thinning out the thickness of the bush by cutting out the older, woody branches that have flowered and the thinner shoots around them.