I have the same problem with my 2 - who seem to be DEAF dogs when it involves other dogs and playing.

Captain is SUPER friendly, and if another dog is agressive, he turns and runs
Ruby is not really friendly, so I have taken to letting her run about, and if I see another dog, I put HER on the lead ..... until I know if the other dog is OK or not.
I tend to take them to places where other dogs are not really around - mainly for Ruby. I get abit worried when other dogs come running up to my dogs too ....... so I can see both sides
I have noticed that if I turn and walk away from MY dogs, they notice it and come after me (well, Ruby does, Captain takes his own sweet time!)

I am not sure how to get around the "issue", and Ruby is exactly the same as Zeke with regards to being abit "timid" if you accidently hit her. I just put that down to her being a "girl"

I am hopeful someone gives YOU advice that I can use too!

We seem to be in the same boat ....

Good luck!