Either way will work fine, they don't need to be in a row. Black and white wires are your hot and neutral wires and red wire communicates between the devices.
I've been doing resi electrical for a long time and have never heard that you shouldn't have more than one dimmer on a circuit? Check the trim adjustment on dimmer first. If you can, check your splices on that circuit, and connection at panel. The switches may not be getting proper voltage.