Pruning now is ideal. Late winter pruning avoids fresh wounds while borers are active.

Cool. Thank you.

The structure of this tree is such that you cannot do very much pruning on it before you start spoiling it. Proceed very carefully.

Where I live we get ice storms every few years, and wet snow usually. Because most Dogwoods have twiggy branches they catch more snow or ice than they can handle and large limbs are usually lost.
I prune with the ice and snow load in mind....and sometimes still get surprised.
Mike

No fears. I removed two bad Idea branches. Mostly I chickened out. I love the "flowers" being down so low. Man up nnext week or mow under it all summer I suppose.