After dwindling to a dire population of just four in 2005, a world-first Maremma dog trial has turned the fate of the penguins around with numbers now at a two-year high.

A penguin count by Coastcare volunteers on Tuesday night revealed there are now 80 penguins and 26 chicks on the island, a significant increase on the 53 adults and seven chicks counted in 2006.

The result proves the Maremma dogs were doing their job of protecting the penguins from predators such as foxes, according to Deakin University PhD student Amanda Peucker who is monitoring the population.

"It's great to see the penguins doing so well," Mrs Peucker said.

"It seems like the Maremma's are doing their job by marking out their territory on the island, I haven't seen any signs of foxes over there."

For the past three months two new Maremma puppies have been in training to become permanent penguin protectors and are now ready to live permanently on the island during the peak breeding season.

Warrnambool City Council's environment planner Ian Fitzgibbon said a lot had been learnt from last year's trial when the Maremmas killed 10 penguins.

Middle Island is closed to the public for the summer and fines up to $500 apply.