Hi tomindenver,
Some people do cut back to a 5-leaf union. I just take off the bloom and then shape the bush as needed. Some of my minis are so small that I am able to snap off the flowers or make a quick cut by dragging the spent bloom across the v shape of my scissors with my finger. Soon you will find a method that suits you.
Here is my favorite 'how to' link on growing minis.
Jim

Here is a link that might be useful: All About Miniature Roses

Thank you for the advice and the link; it is a great resource!

I have a few miniatures that are almost self-cleaning... once the blooms fade, the roses and their short stems of about an inch, or so, die and fall off.

Others, however, do not shed their spent blooms, and I need to remove them... I normally clip them off to the first leaf with 5 sections, as you would with any rose. Some of my smaller ones just get the spent blooms clipped off.

As of yet, I haven't done any major pruning or shaping... I've allowed them all to grow to their natural size and form. Most of them were just planted this past spring.