I have recently adopted a cocker spaniel from a local rescue centre and ever sinceI  got him home he has been very aggressive towards my other dogs and myself at mealtimes. He also guards toys, tissues and chew bones. He has snapped at both my wife and myself on several occasions and we are both very wary of him. please help we do not want to give up on him.

I would suggest getting a trainer or behaviourist in (the latter would be best) - some insurance companies will pay for the behaviourist.
Try either www.apbc.org.uk or, www.ukrcb.co.uk. Some trainers who have a behavioural interest are listed on www.apdt.co.uk
They should be able to give you a programme to sort the problem out. Alternatively do invest in a book called "Mine!" by Jean Donaldson (try www.crosskeysbooks.com or Amazon) which is very good and should also help solve the problem. I've helped people with a cocker with guarding issues and it can be solved so don't lose heart :)

The rescue may also have a behaviourist, but do make sure they are reputable and experienced in this problem.

Lindsay
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Lindsay's advice is good but depends how quickly you can get in touch with a reputable behaviourist.  In the meantime it is important to remove the opportunities for him to display this behaviour so feed him separately from your other dogs at all times. 
When you say he also shows agression to you at mealtimes it's difficult to know what you mean.  If he is trying to take YOUR food then keep him shut away while you're eating.  If you mean he is being protective over his own food and threatening you as he's eating, I would suggest not putting his meals down to him in a bowl, but gently hand feeding him at the moment - a little at a time throughout the course of the day.  If you are wary of that, put his food down and leave him to finish then have a tasty treat in your pocket to offer him as you pick his bowl back up ;)

Preventative measures until such times as you have a behaviourist on board are safer than allowing the problems to become deep rooted.  Good Luck and why not join so you can keep us posted on your results and ask further questions or respond to replies.

Regards, Teri :)

Hi again Guest,

meant to add to the above that as for guarding toys and other non food objects, he should not be permitted access to them until such times as you have more control of his possessive behaviour.

Chews, etc and bones in particular are high reward based foods and it is not unusual for some dogs to need specific training in giving up such treats and so in your current situation it is best that he does not have access to these at all - not at least until you can safely move around him when eating etc :(

Hopefully you will realise that these suggestions are not cruel or harsh - simply a safe way for you to manage meantime.

Regards, Teri :)

Have just been through this with one of my Foster Dogs. If you would like to mail me privately i would be glad to help you anyway i can. It only took a very short while to stop my foster girl being like this and it was all done with no harshness or negative training

Crestie Queen, I don't think guests are able to look at our profiles to be able to see your email address. :)