2 adult dogs, getting a little ouchy with each other. Would time apart do them good?

I think it would be great for them. You don't want the dogs to be so dependent on each other -- that can cause huge problems. And, once they get to be adults (around the age of 2 -- so, about now for your dogs) they can even start fighting if they have been together their entire lives. That's right, two dogs that have been inseparable their whole lives can turn into enemies. Not having enough individual attention can do that.